BX 9743 .B6 B6 v.l
Booth Tucker, Frederick St.
George de Lautour, 1853-
The life of Catherine Booth
CATHERINE BOOTH, 1882.
THE LIFE
OF
CATHERINE BOOTH
THE
MOTHER OF THE SALVATION ARMY
BY
F. DE L. BOOTH-TUCKER
VOLUME I
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY.
NEW YORK: | CHICAGO:
30 Union Square, East. 148-150 Madison Street.
Pultlishers of Evangelical Literature.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year iSga, by
WILLIAM BOOTH,
in the office of the Librarian at Washington.
THE PREFACE.
My task is completed. Imperfectly? Alas, none
could be more conscious of that fact than myself ! I
have longed unspeakably for inspiration 's pen to write
the record of a life inspired, no matter whose the
hand that held the pen ! I have wept with disappoint-
ment as I have struggled to describe the indescrib-
able ! A thousand times, in the lonely solitude of my
room, I have turned from pen to prayer, and then
again from prayer to pen. My whole soul has
yearned unspeakably to enshrine our Army Mother's
memory fittingly, and to enable her in these pages
to live her life again.
I have not criticised? No! I could not, for I loved.
With the love of a son — the respect, the admiration,
the enthusiasm of a disciple. For critical biography
I have neither time nor taste.
/ Jiave exaggerated ? No ! Inquire from those who
knew her best — her family, her friends, the Army.
I have sought to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth ; " to let facts and letters speak
for themselves, and to surround the picture with but
a framework of such explanations as have seemed
necessary for the occasion.
/ claim for Mrs. Booth infallibility ? No ! Only
iv THE PREFACE.
sanctified common sense. "Jesus Christ made unto
her wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemp-
tion."
She made mistakes ? Undoubtedly ! But I have not
found many to record. As a Mother — her family
speak for her in the gates. As a Wife — her husband
lives and testifies. As an Apostle — thousands of her
spiritual children are scattered through the world.
/ have been too laudatory ? Nay, verily ! Press and
pulpit have combined to set their seal on every word,
and the highest praise proceeds from other lips. My
own opinion eight years' intimacy has entitled me to
express. Of the General and the living members of
the family I have left unsaid the appreciation and
admiration which my heart has felt ; but of the subject
of these memoirs I have claimed the liberty to say that
which I feel, and to testify that which I know. Sen-
sitive to a fault of what the public might think, the
General would have preferred that I should imderdxsw
rather than overdirsLW her character. He would have
been even willing that I should sprinkle a few blots —
I wdll not say of my own manufacture — over the can-
vas, lest any should charge me with claiming perfec-
tion for the picture. I have asserted — may I call it
the artistic privilege? — of dispensing with the blots
which my imagination refused to invent or my re-
searches to discover. I have assumed the editorial
responsibility of saying what I think, of saying it in
the way that I desire, and of distributing my adjec-
tives where they seemed most to be required, and I
THE PREFACE. . v
certainly must have declined the task had I not been
allowed this, in my estimation, legitimate freedom.
Are tJicrc no shadozvs, then ? Oh, yes! Alas, almost
too many ! Victory shadowed by defeat, joy by sor-
row, strength by weakness, warfare by suffering, life
by death. A mighty intellect, an iron will, an ocean
soul, encased in an " earthen vessel " so frail that a
touch seemed sufficient to shatter it. A barque tossed
upon the waves of a perpetual tempest of opposition,
persecution, criticism, from the day when it was
launched on its perilous life-voyage to the day when
it cast anchor in the eternal Haven.
But the sources of my information ? The entire
private correspondence of Mrs. Booth from 1847 on-
wards has been placed at my disposal. Never has
biographer been more privileged to peer with prying
eye behind the scenes and ransack the minutest de-
tails of a life. Litera scripta nianet. The written
records have spoken for themselves, and on their
silent testimony, more than on the memories of living
witnesses, this Life is based. The facts have been
carefully corrected by the General ; for the opinions,
where they are not those of Mrs. Booth, I assume the
entire responsibility.
/ have been helped? Yes, by my dear wife, Mrs.
Booth's second daughter, Emma. [She does not
think I have spoken too highly of her mother, and
verily she ought to know. Nevertheless, the opinions
are inijie, not hers.'] Piles of hurriedly-written, ill-
digested manuscripts, which but for her I would fain
vi THE PREFACE.
have hurled impatiently at the printer's head, or have
consigned to the depths of the waste-paper basket,
have been dissected page by page, sentence by sen-
tence, almost word by word. Dissectcd^^—yes, that is
the word ; dissected at home till I almost feel criticism-
proof abroad !
I have taken a long time ? Not very. I received
my material the end of July, 1891. I sit writing
these lines on the 2d of the same month, barely
eleven months afterwards. The life of a Salvationist
is a life of interruption. Wherever he goes there are
" lions in the way. " Telegrams and letters follow him
to every retreat. Seclusion, privacy, and the quietude
supposed to be necessary for literary enterprise — the
words have been obliterated from his dictionary,
the very ideas have almost faded from his mind. His
table is a keg of spiritual gunpowder, his seat a can-
non-ball; and he writes as best he may amid the whiz
and crash of flying shot and shell, the rush and ex-
citement of a never-ending battle, in which peace and
truce are words unknown, and rest, in the ordinary
sense of the word, is relegated to heaven.
Again, it has not been like zvriting a novel, where
the author can give the heroine free scope to say
and do as she pleases, or, rather, as he may please.
A biography has meant a history of facts, and those
facts have had to be verified and arranged. Thou-
sands of letters, articles, speeches, and reports have
required to be studied, till my head has fairly reeled
and my eyes have ached.
THE PREFACE. Vll
But I said, / Jia%'c been helped. Yes, I have been
helped by God — helped by the remembrance that she
of whom I wrote was indeed a prophet of the Most
High, and that it could not but please Him that the
messages which had been uttered through her lips
and life should be repeated through the medium of
these pages ; helped by the thought that it would be a
comfort to her family, and an inspiration to our Army,
and to tens of thousands outside our ranks, to read a
record of such devoted service.
It has been a labor of love. I undertook it with re-
luctance, owing to a deep sense of my insufficiency.
I conclude it with regret, realising how greatly God
has blest it to my soul. I send it forth with the sin-
cere prayer that it may be made an equal blessing to
all who read, and that they may be enabled to re-live,
at least in miniature, the life of Catherine Booth.
F. DE L. Booth-Tucker.
loi Queen Victoria St., London, E. C. ,
2d July, 1892.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Shadowland. 1820-1829.
PAGE
Future greatness foreshadowed. — A modern pilgrimage. — Mrs.
Booth's mother. — A tragic loye-story. — "I believe in the
forgiveness of sins." — The Siren's melody. — A remarkable
conversion. — Divinely healed. — "This way to the pit."
— Mrs. Booth's grandfather. — A stormy scene. — John Mum-
ford. ^Turned out of home. — Sarah Milward's marriage. —
A touching reconciliation. — The grandfather's death. — "Be-
yond the river," ......... i
CHAPTER H.
Childhood. 1829-1834.
Mrs. Booth's birth-place. — A death-bed scene. — A wise
mother. — About nurseries. — And playmates. — A mother's
girl. — Sensitive conscience. — The weeping child. — Brothers
gone before. — Eschewing French. — Jeanne d'Arc. — Bible
studies. — The doll family. — A dark shadow. — Restoration, 13
CHAPTER HI.
Early Days. 1834-1841.
Removal to Boston. — The child politician and temperance sec-
retary.— Contributing to magazine. — Catholic emancipation
question. — Sense of responsibility. — Sympathetic charac-
ter.— The child and the criminal. — First open-air pro-
cession.— Death of favourite dog. — Love for dumb ani-
mals.— Kindness to donkeys. — Feeding horses by night. —
Saving a donkey from ill-treatment. — Love for religious
meetings. — "Over the Bible to Hell." — Love of Method-
ism.— Self-sacrifice. — Collecting for missions, . . .22
X GENERAL CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
School Life. 1841-1843.
PAGE
Modern system of education. — Its evils. — Mrs. Booth's views. —
"One language enough for the devil." — Mrs. Booth at
school. — Character for truthfulness. — Appointed monitor. —
Helping others with their studies. — Estimate of Napoleon
and Caesar. — Spinal complaint. — Knowledge of church his-
tor5^ — Notes on Butler's "Analogy." — "Pilgrim's Prog-
ress. " — In the wilderness, . . . ... . -33
CHAPTER V.
Youth. 1844-1847.
A love episode. — Removal to London. — The Metropolis. — Car-
riage accident. — Mrs. Booth's conversion. — Joins the Wes-
leyan Church. — Indefinite preaching. — Praying in the class-
meeting. — Mechanical testimonies. — Class-leader's daugh-
ter.— Worldly conformity, ....... 42
CHAPTER VI.
Her Diary. 1847-1848.
Serious illness. — Visit to Brighton. — Letter to mother. — Praying
for her father. — Early correspondence. — Visiting the sick. —
Sunday-school.^ — A tragic incident. — Inward struggles. —
Perfect love. — Trusting, . . . . . . -53
CHAPTER VII.
The Refor.mers. 1844-1852.
Reform agitation. — Wesley's successors. — The Legal Hun-
dred.— The Fly Sheets. — The men in masks. — The brotherly
question. — The Wesleyan Tt'incs. — Acrimonious disputes. —
Caughey's banishment. — Wanted, an Elisha. — Miss Mum-
ford a radical. — Her sympathy with the Reformers. — Retal-
iatory measures. — Miss Miimford expelled from the Wesley-
an Church. — Joins the Reformers. — Becomes a class-lead-
er.— Disappointed with the Reformers, . . . .63
CHAPTER VIII.
William Booth. 1829-1852.
Born in Nottingham loth April, 1829. — His mother. — His
father. — Converted at fifteen. — His friend Sansom. — Cottage
meetings. — Processions and open-airs. — Please go to the
GENERAL CONTENTS. XI
PAGE
back-door. — Sunday toil. — A local preacher at seventeen. —
Called to the ministry at nineteen.— The doctor's objec-
tion.— Worshipped John Wesley. — Goes to London in 1849. —
"The only son of my mother." — His earliest extant letters
to John Savage. — Not a single "Amen."— His plan of cam-
paign.— "A ministry of the talents." — Too much of the
shroud. — A stirring letter. — Preachers are not wanted. —
No interest in the Reformers. — Resigns his local preacher-
ship. — His ticket of membership withheld. — A heresy-hunt-
ing superintendent.— Joins the Reformers. — His friend Mr.
Rabbi tts.—Binfield House.— Meets Miss Mumford.— The
best sermon yet.— Meeting at Mr. Rabbitts'.— "The Grog-
sellers' Dream." — Water was the favoured drink, . . 72
^ CHAPTER IX.
The Engagement. 1852.
loth April, 1852. — Mr. Booth becomes a minister. — Passing rich
on fifty pounds a year. — Democratic tyranny. — The party
of reconciliation. — Mrs. Booth's love-letters. — "I will tram-
ple on the desolations of my own heart." — 15th of May. —
A memorable engagement. — An eloquent betrothal letter.
—"Don't sit up singing till midnight. "—The Ganges and
the Jumna, ........••
88
CHAPTER X.
The Congregationalists. 1852.
Mr. Booth tired of debates. — Proposes to join the Congregation-
alists.—Calls on Dr. Campbell.— Offers for Cotton End.—
Studies the "Reign of Grace" with Miss Mumford. — Cannot
swallow Calvinism. — Declines a call to Ryde. — Gives his last
sixpence to a dying girl, ....... 98
CHAPTER XI.
London and Spalding. 1852.
Mr. Booth rejoins the Reformers.— Spalding Circuit.— Engage-
ment letters.— Admirable advice.— Fear of man. — Prayer.
—Ambition.— Study.— Teetotalisrft.—" Spalding will not be
your final destination," ........ 107
CHAPTER XII.
Woman. 1S53.
Preparation for future duties. — Woman's sphere.— A parlour
skirmish. — Letter to Dr. Thomas on woman's equality. —
Scriptural evidence. — Intellectual and moral heroines. —
xii GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
"Those who rock the cradle rule the world." — Woman and
the press. — Mrs. Booth converted to woman's right to
preach. — Ministers' wives. — Tattle and tea-parties. — "Light
reading." — Novels, . . . . . . . .116
CHAPTER XIII.
Views on Courtship and Marriage. 1853.
Mrs. Booth's originality. — A good hater. — Broken vows. — The
evils of hurry. — No doubts. — Act on princi^ple. — Congeni-
ality of temperament. — Friend and counsellor rather than
breadwinner and housekeeper. — Refinement linked to drudg-
ery.— Truly converted. — An indispensable qualification. —
The root of three-fourths of matrimonial misery. — Lordship
lost in love. — No physical repugnance. — Natural instinct
too strong for reason. — Mere physical attractions useless. —
A teetotaller from conviction. — Preferences of taste. — Rules
for married life. — No secrets. — One purse. — Unity of
thought and action. — No controversy before the children, . 130
CHAPTER XIV.
Methodist New Connexion. 1854.
The first Salvation Army Captain. — Mr. Booth's popularity. —
His first journal. — Swineshead Bridge revival. — Caistor re-
vival.— The Methodist New Connexion. — Their origin. —
Alexander Kilham. — Mr. Booth urges the Reformers to join
them. — Abortive negotiations. — Correspondence with Dr.
Cooke. — The Spalding Circuit will not join. — An evangel-
istic career opens out. — Joins the New Connexion, . . 139
CHAPTER XV.
Correspondence and Conflicts. 1854.
Conflicting views. — Sacrificing a present for a future good. — No
friends to martial law.— These Jehus were Jehus still. — The
course of genius never did run smooth. — Manufacturing an
aggressive force inside the church. — A fossilised past. — The
Caesars of the past the MoJtkes of the present. — The spirit
of the times 152
CHAPTER XVI.
London. 1854.
Mr. Booth's reception by Dr. Cooke. — Studying for the min-
istry.— A revival in the East End. — Unanimously accepted
by the Conference. — Letter from Miss Mumford. — Caistor
GENERAL CONTENTS. xiii
PAGE
revisited. — Sermon sketches by Miss Mumford. — She visits
Burnham. — Some beautiful letters. — An Irvingite Chapel. —
No hobbies. — Nor fanaticism. — A beautiful scene, . . 162
CHAPTER XVII.
Mrs. Booth's First Published Article. 1S54.
How to take care of new converts. — A simple analogy. — Con-
genial food. — A pure and invigorating atmosphere. — A cold
church. — Cleansing of impurities. — Freedom from undue
restraint. — Dangers of inactivity. — Serving God by proxy.
— Women's work. — Talents are meant to be used, . . 171
CHAPTER XVIII.
First Evan&elistic Tour. 1854-1855.
London as a field for work. — Hard soil. — Conditions of life. —
Poverty and wealth. — London successes. — Guernsey revival.
— An unpromising beginning. — A grand finish. — Two hun-
dred and sixty conversions. — Longton and Hanley revi-
vals.— Four hundred and sixty penitents. — A touching letter
from Miss Mumford. — No fear of loving too much, . .178
CHAPTER XIX.
The Wedding. 1855.
A striking contrast. — A great opportunity. — A quiet ceremony.
— i6th June, 1855. — Married by Dr. Thomas. — A congrega-
tionless chapel. — Craving for privacy. — Talent-hiding ten-
dencies.— The pictureless frame, and the frameless picture.
— A brief honeymoon. — Guernsey again. — The old auto-
graphs, 190
CHAPTER XX.
Revivals and Correspondence. 1855.
One thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine penitents seek sal-
vation.— Jersey visited. — The first separation. — Letters. —
Mr. Booth at York. — Rejoined I9y Mrs. Booth at Hull. —
The Hull revival. — Caistor revisited. — A country scene. —
The taking of Sebastopol, .198
CHAPTER XXI.
Sheffield. Chatsworth. Correspondence. 1855.
Six hundred and sixty-three conversions in a month. — The prog-
ress of the work described by Mrs. Booth in letters to her
xiv GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
mother.— The General's mother.— A remarkable love-feast.
— A forest of heads. — Seventy-six penitents. — "Do not
worry." — Luke Tyerman. — Visit to Chatsworth. — Her na-
tive county. — Romantic scenery. — The rocks of Middleton
Dale. — Mark Firth. — The designer of the Crystal Palace, . 206
CHAPTER XXn.
Deavsbury. 1855.
Mrs. Booth seriously ill. — Studies homoeopathy. — Revival in
Dewsbury. — Four hundred and forty converts. — The Wes-
ley an Times. — Helping the penitents. — Letters to mother. —
The Pilot. — A triumphant farewell. — The Wesleyans wel-
come Mr. Booth, 218
CHAPTER XXHL
Leeds. 1855-1856.
A Christless Christmas. — The Hunslet revival. — Mrs. Booth de-
scribes the work. — Singing like larks. — Pretty sermons. —
Getting the truth home to the heart. — A bazaar.— Refusal
to visit. — A watch-night service. — A councillor converted.
— Ebenezer chapel. — Eight hundred penitents. — A curtain
lecture, ........... 226
CHAPTER XXIV.
Halifax. Macclesfield. Yarmouth. 1856.
Dr. Stacey reports six hundred and forty-one conversions at
Halifax. — Three thousand persons spiritually awakened in
seven months. — Mr. Booth's capacity for hard work. — Sub-
jugating mankind's Niagaras. — The dangers of lack-
leaderism contrasted with the tyrannies of unsanctified
genius. — Birth of Bramwell Booth. — A Bible for the baby.
— Mrs. Booth on sudden conversions. — "There go 's
mushrooms." — The devil's toadstools. — Thirty babies bap-
tised with her son Bramwell. — A holiness preacher. — Re-
newal of Mr. Booth's evangelistic commission by the Con-
ference.— Yarmouth. — Mrs. Booth on spiritual children, . 241
CHAPTER XXV.
Sheffield. 1856.
Sheffield characteristics. — National and provincial peculiarities.
— Good and bad soil. — Tendency of civilisation to neglect the
heart for the head. — Restoration of heart pulsation needed.
—The intellectual hero of the day.— Mrs. Booth's quarrel
GENERAL CONTENTS. xv
PAGE
with modern education. — A warm welcome. — Six hundred
and forty-six names taken. — Keeping the converts. — Why
the Salvation Army was started. — The farewell tea. — A
proud position. — The lithographic portrait of Mr. Booth. —
The presentation meeting. — The labourer not worthy of
his hire. — Why testimonials were abolished, . . .251
CHAPTER XXVI.
Birmingham. Nottingh.^m. Chester. 1856-1857.
The Birmingham campaign. — Mrs. Booth on religious excite-
ment.— The meetings in Nottingham. — Seven hundred and
forty conversions. — The chapel filled. — Every sitting let. —
Mr. Wright's opposition. — Mr. Booth's diary. — Mrs. Booth
proceeds to London while Mr. Booth goes to Chester. —
Newspaper opposition. — First signs of row^dyism. — "The
words seemed like jagged daggers." — "What must I do to
be damned?" — Icy-hearted, all-brained people. — Mr. Regi-
nald Radcliffe at an execution. — Makes Mr. Booth an offer.
— The country people. — A poacher converted. — Correspond-
ence.— Mr. Booth on homoeopathy. — Not a congenial soul,
except the disembodied one's that dwell in books, . . 262
CHAPTER XXVII.
Bristol. Truro. St. Agnes, 1857.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth meet in London. — Start for Bristol. — A
hard struggle. — Thwarted by circumstances. — The mys-
terious element of liberty in public speaking. — Advantages
of the pulpit over the political platform and the stage. —
Mrs. Booth's influence on an audience. — Oblivious to time.
— Musical cadences of her voice. — First visit to Cornwall. —
A land of chapels. — Difficult to be moved. — Pure children
of emotion. — A hurricane of excitement. — St. Agnes. —
"Going olf. " — The woman who jumped. — Decency and or-
der.— Mrs. Booth on manifestation of feeling. — Afraid of a
kind-hearted grandmother. — Ominous rumours, . . . 275
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Conference of 1857.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth at Stafford. — The nest and the beetle. — Is
it an omen? — The Conference stop the evangelistic work
by a majority of four, after a five-hour debate. — Mr. Wright
leads the opposition. — Mr. Booth asks for an explanation.
— Mrs. Booth indignant. — The expenses guaranteed. — A
xvi GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
jealous clique. — Mrs. Booth would have resigned. — But
Mr. Booth loves the Connexion. — And agrees to take a
circuit. — A characteristic letter from another evangelist. — "I
could wish to be your shoeblack." — "You're as square as a
brick." — The value of organisation. — Mrs. Booth more of a
free-lance Whitefield than an organising Wesley. — A happy
design of Providence, ........ 287
CHAPTER XXIX.
Brighouse. 1857.
A sad year. — A difficult cause. — But many are converted. — And
her son Ballington is born. — The embryo of the Salvation
Army within the four corners of a fainily. — General Booth's
first recruits. — He wishes there had been eighty instead of
eight. — Israel a family affair. — The mysteries of criticism. —
" I will not have a wicked child. " — Paganini and the violin.
— Putting the children into the movement. — Mrs. Booth
leads a class. — Her first public effort. — She addresses the
Band of Hope. — Proposes to give temperance lectures. —
But is prevented by illness. — A letter, .... 298
CHAPTER XXX.
Brighouse. 1858.
Serious illness of Mrs. Booth. — Her son Ballington is baptised by
Mr. Caughey. — Mrs. Booth on factory legislation. — The
annual conference at Hull. — Mr. Booth is ordained at the
end of his four years' probation. — Winning golden opinions
by keeping quiet. — Continued opposition to the evangelistic
work. — A compromise proposed. — Mr. Booth consents to
take Gateshead circuit, ........ 308
CHAPTER XXXI.
Gateshead, the Converting Shop. 1858-1859.
The circuit in a low state. — But a large chapel. — The members
warm-hearted. — The best appointment. — The minister's
wife leads off in prayer. — The attendance increases. — Many
are converted. — The chapel crowded. — The converting
shop. — Popular nomenclature. — Taproom phraseology. — A
Gelavoonkaraya. — The Ratchagar caste. — Pedantic phrase-
ology.— Theology wedded to the language of bygone days.
— Christopher Columbus and the greyhounds of the At-
GENERAL CONTENTS. . xvil
PAGE
lantic. — Birth of La Marechale. — A powerful revival. —
Three hundred converts. — The town stirred. — Another ba-
zaar.— Mrs. Booth on church bazaars, 317
CHAPTER XXXII.
Gateshead. 1858-1859.
A narrow escape. — No distinctions, such as forty kisses for Willie
and twenty for the baby. — No coat of many colours. — Mrs.
Mumford's needle-work. — Mrs. Booth on dress. — Not only
l>6' separate, but appear so. — A lesson in generosity. —
Visiting the poor. — Work among drunkards. — An interest-
ing scrap of autobiography. — "Have you ever tried lard
isted o' booter?" — Washing the twins in a pie-dish, . . 327
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Gateshead. Mrs. Booth's First Pamphlet. 1859.
The Annual Conference meets at Manchester. — Mr. Booth re-
appointed to Gateshead. — Mr. Booth attends the Confer-
ence.— He proposes a resolution in favour of teetotalism. —
But is defeated. — Dissatisfaction with conferences. — Ad-
vantages of military organisation. — Mrs. Booth writes her
pamphlet on Female Ministry in defence of Mrs. Phoebe
Palmer. — The value of women's work to the church. — Per-
fection not necessary, ........ 339
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Gateshead, i860.
Necessity for conflict. — Impossible to improve the future with-
out disturbing the present. — A life-long warfare on behalf
of women. — A skirmish with Dr. Stacey. — A grievous
wrong inflicted on spirit-baptised disciples. — Mrs. Booth
opened the door for thousands, 350
CHAPTER XXXV.
Gateshead. Mrs. Booth Commences Preaching, i860.
The birth of Emma.— A call to public work.— Whit-Sunday at
the Converting Shop. — Mrs. Booth breaks the ice.— Mr
Booth announces her for the night meeting. — The servant
dances round the kitchen table. — An enthusiastic reception
at night.— "Be filled with the Spirit. "—Invitation from
Newcastle.— The Annual Conference.— Mr. Booth consents
to remain at Gateshead for another year.— His illness.— Mrs.
Booth supplies his place nine weeks.— Some autobiograph-
xviii GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
ical letters. — Harmony among the officials. — Mrs. Booth's
administrative ability. — The iron hand in the velvet glove. —
A headless community like a riderless horse. — The govern-
ment of the best. — The rule of all is the rule of none. —
Ability recognised, not deified. — Knowledge subordinated
to holiness and power sanctified by love, . . . -357
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Gateshead. 1860-1861.
Mr. Booth's illness. — The children ill with whooping-cough. —
The frock is too smart. — Capacity for dealing with trivial-
ities of life. — Mrs. Booth in the nursery. — Preparing ser-
mons under difficulties. — '''We lacked a General." — A
unanimous resolution. — Mr. Booth returns from his fur-
lough.— Careful, but not mean. — Financial struggles, . 371
CHAPTER XXXVH.
Gateshead. Mrs. Booth on Holiness. 1861.
A believer's privilege. — Wesley's teaching. — Theory and prac-
tice.— Mrs. Booth preaches on Holiness. — Seeks the bless-
ing.— The question of the evangelistic work. — The contro-
versy settled. — A beautiful experience. — The twin pillars,
Jachin and Boaz. — "How much like God can we be?" —
Purity the central idea of the Gospel. — Do not measure
others' privilege by your faith, 381
CHAPTER XXXVHI.
Gateshead. "Just Before the Battle." 1861.
A turning-point. — The Cross the shibboleth of the hypo-
crite.— Mr. and Mrs. Booth appeal to the Conference for the
fulfilment of their pledges regaiding the evangelistic
sphere. — The Annual Committee send a cool reply. — Pre-
paring for the worst. — A revival in Gateshead. — Two hun-
dred names taken. — The district meeting memorialise the
Conference in favour of the evangelistic work. — Mr. Joseph
Love, the millionaire, supports the proposal. — Promises
to answer for all expenses. — Mrs. Booth visits Hartlepool. —
Extraordinary revival. — Two hundred and fifty penitents
in ten days. — Letter to her mother, ..... 390
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Resignation. 1S61.
The Conference meets in Liverpool. — Mr. and Mrs. Booth at-
tend it together. — They anticipate some sharp fighting. — Mr.
GENERAL CONTENTS. xix
PAGE
Rabbitts supports them. — Mrs. Booth disappointed with
the Conference. — Fatal mistake in church government. —
The rule of books. — Dr. Cooke. — Cowardice a prevailing sin.
Dr. Crofts becomes President. — Rev. P. J. Wright again
heads the opposition. — A remarkable debate. — A compro-
mise proposed. — Mrs. Booth protests from the gallery. —
"Order ! order !" — A thrilling scene. — Mr. and Mrs. Booth
leave the Conference. — The ark is launched, . . . 405
CHAPTER XL.
The Resignation. 1861.
Dr. Cooke and the compromise. — The Newcastle circuit. — A
gloomy Sunday. — The last sitting of the Conference. —
" Without a friend and without a farthing. " — The ultimatum
rejected. — A last attempt to come to terms. — The Circuit
willing. — But the President objects. — Alnwick. — Mr. Booth
starts for London, ......... 414
CHAPTER XLI.
The Resignation. i86r.
Mr. Booth in London. — Measuring accomplishments by pos-
sibilities.— Letters from London.— Mr. Hammond. — Mr.
Pearse. — The Garrick Theatre. — LTndenominational mis-
sions.— Dr. Forbes Winslow. — William Carter. — Mr. and
Mrs. Booth at Nottingham. — The letter from Dr. Crofts. —
The last link severed. — Resignation placed in the hands of
the President. — Mrs. Booth returns to London. — Mr. Booth
brings the children by sea from Newcastle. — A new depar-
ture.— Waiting for the moving of the fiery pillar, . . 422
CHAPTER XLH.
The Cornish Campaign.
Reviving the Churches. — Reaching the masses via the Chris-
tians.— The "regions beyond." — The Cornish plan of cam-
paign.— How to "seat" a congregation. — A glorious
commencement. — With the Wesleyans again. — An emotion-
al people. — "Decently and in order." — A remarkable
manifestation. — Salvation the universal theme. — Monster
tea-meeting on the Towans. — A touching farewell, . . 433
XX GENERAL CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLIII.
The Cornish Campaign. 1862.
PAGE
St. Ives and its pilchards. — A temperance movement. — The
churches and teetotalism. — Mrs. Booth on the liquor
traffic. — Letter from Mrs. Palmer. — The revival in St.
Ives. — More than a thousand conversions. — Public-houses
deserted. — "Is there mercy for sirch a wretch?" — Conver-
sions noisy and quiet. — Do they stand? .... 449
CHAPTER XLIV.
The Cornish Campaign. 1862.
St. Just. — Rev. Robert Aitken of Pendeen. — Charles Wesley
and the country squire. — The penitent-form controversy. —
An unfinished sermon. — Glorious irregularity. — Miners
leaving their work to get saved. — The Police Inspector's
testimon}'. — A sacred corner, ...... 461
CHAPTER XLV.
The Cornish Campaign. 1862.
Mrs. Booth's first service for women. — Her views on fashion. —
On orphanages. — On timidity. — The king of the Wesley-
ans. — His opinion of Mrs. Booth. — Mrs. Booth at home. —
The Wesleyan Chapel. — "What about the revival?" — The
volunteers leave their drill. — The suspension of business. —
"One and all." — The Lelant church and its legend. — The
angel-visits. — Sailing under black colors 473
CHAPTER XLVI.
The Three Conferences. 1862.
The Methodists New Connection accept Mr. Booth's resignation.
— Without a "thank you." — Not a "split." — The Cornish
Wesleyans. — An increase of 4,247. — Their Conference. —
"The perambulations of the male and female." — Boycotted
again. — A pitiful apology. — The Primitive Methodists fol-
low suit. — Conflict between pastoral and evangelistic
agencies. — Raising of the blockade. — An Australian tri-
umph 485
CHAPTER XLVII.
Good-bye to Cornwall. 1862.
Mousehole. — Penzance. — Birth of Herbert Booth. — The sweet
psalmist and musician. — "Dod b'ess de lady and make her
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxi
PAGE
berydood. " — "Me not 'peakin' to oo. " — Redruth. — Putting
up the barriers. — 7,500 conversions in eighteen months, . 493
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Cardiff. 1863.
Undenominational effort. — Mrs. Booth's first meetings in a
circus. — Her views on the state of the world. — A physician
and his wife. — No faith without obedience. — Mr. Booth at
Pontypridd. — Five hundred conversions. — Messrs. John and
Richard Cory.— The S. S. William Booth.— How to deal
with cavil, .......... 503
CHAPTER XLIX.
The Provinces. 1863.
Newport. — Mr. and Mrs. Billups. — An intimate friendship. —
Walsall. — Upsetting the meetings. — The prize-fighter,
the horse-racer, and the thief. — "I linked my arm in that
of a navvy with a white slop on." — The saved chim-
ney-sweep.— A monster camp-meeting. — The HaUelujah
Band. — The future foreshadowed, . . . . -513
CHAPTER L.
The Provinces. 1863-1864.
The General meets with an accident. — Mr. Bramwell Booth's
conversion. — Mrs. Booth leads the meetings. — Hydrop-
athy.— Birmingham. — Old Hill. — Hasbury. — Mrs. Booth at
the Lye. — "I never saw so much weeping." — An outside
testimony. — Leeds. — Lady Lane. — Meadow Lane. — Gates-
head.— Birth of Miss Marian Booth. — A letter from
Caughey. — Mrs. Booth atBatley; Pudsey and Woodhouse
Carr. — Five hundred conversions. — "We can't get at the
masses in the chapels," 527
CHAPTER LI.
London. 1865.
The metropolis and the provinces. — Mrs. Booth's first meet-
ings in London. — Rotherhithe. — "Come and hear a woman
preach." — The daughters of the landlord of the Europa. —
Mr. and Mrs. Booth settle in Hammersmith. — Mr. Morgan
questions female ministry. — But is convinced. — The CJiris-
tian. — A letter regarding Holiness. — Bermondsey. — The
xxii GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
Gospel Gtiide describes Mrs. Booth. — The Midnight
movement, . ......... 538
CHAPTER LII.
Foundation of the Salvation Army. 1865.
The Quaker Burial Ground in Whitechapel. — A valley of dry-
bones. — The East End Bethlehem. — The meetings in the
tent. — The formation of th.e '' Christian Revival Associa-
tion."— The lowest level of the social strata. — Mr. Booth
and Feargus O'Connor. — "My arms are not long enough." —
Mrs. Booth and the upper classes. — The syrup without
the sulphur. — His Grace the Duke of Rackrent. — Mrs. Booth
denounces the cruelty of hunting. — On War. — Poverty and
vulgarity synonymous with sin. — Miss Booth visiting the
prison. — "She's all there." — The criminal classes. — Mr.
Moneymaker. — Mrs. Booth on "sweating." — Mrs. Booth in
the kitchen. — Among the wealthy, ..... 548
CHAPTER LHI.
Mr. Morley and the East London Mission.
Mrs. Booth at Deptford. — Her first West End Campaign. — The
Polytechnic. — Kensington Assembly Rooms. — Islington. —
Removal of home from Hammersmith to Hackney. — The
tent blown down. — The East End heathen. — Another new
departure. — "We have trusted the Lord once and we can
trust him again." — Mr. Samuel Morley. — The meeting of
the Stanley and the Livingstone of Darkest England. — A
sleeping partner. — Some letters from Mr. Morley. — A gene-
rous donation. — The dancing-saloon. — Some early con-
verts, ........... 561
CHAPTER LIV.
The East London Mission. 1866.
Birth of Miss Eva Booth. — Walking the waters. — The spirit of
Calvary. — Beating the Good Samaritan. — Mrs. Booth at
Peckham. — A severe illness. — Mr. Henry Reed of Dunor-
lan. — Mrs. Booth at Dunorlan. — Makes Mr. Reed her time-
keeper.— "Never mind the time! Go on." — Nervous col-
lapse.— Heaven's gifts in strange wrappers. — A lifelong
martyrdom. — The family homes. — Each room an office. —
A latter-day Bethel, 573
GENERAL CONTENTS. xxiii
CHAPTER LV.
Mak(;ate. 1867.
PAGE
St. John's Wood. — The Eyre Arms Assembly Rooms. — Mrs.
Newenham. — A remarkable offer. — Larger than Spurgeon's
Tabernacle. — Birth of Miss Lucy Booth. — Musical ability. —
A visit to Ramsgate. — The Royal Assembly Rooms, Mar-
gate.— A successful campaign. — Mr. and Mrs. Freeman. —
Miss Billups. — Mr. Knight, the publisher, offers to report
Mrs. Booth's sermons. — Her plan of preaching. — A false
and a real love. — With Jesus in the mud, .... 584
CHAPTER LVL
Behind the Pigeon Shop. 1866-67.
Early struggles in the East End. — Holywell Mount. — The stable
and the sparring-club. — The carpenter's shop and pig-
styes. — The skittle-alley. — Behind the pigeon shop. — The
East End Thermopylae. — The Hare Street bird market. —
A strange contrast. — Muggins and the linnet. — "A finch
wot'll peg." — Two early converts now in heaven. — Jack
Price. — Carry Berry. — Unexpected help. — The Effingham
Theatre. — The Eastern Star. — Finst headquarters of the
Salvation Army, ......... 593
CHAPTER LVH.
Plymouth Brethrenism.
The five leading doctrines of the Brethren. — Mrs. Booth joins
issue on four of them. — Declines controversy regarding
the Second Coming. — "Free from the Law." — The two na-
tures.— One soul in hell and another in heaven. — Regenera-
tion.— A doctrinal hodge-podge. — Imputed righteous-
ness.— Standing in Christ. — A substitutionary Saviour. —
Christ a deliverer from sin, not a protection in sin. — Only-
believism. — Right opinions do not make right hearts. — Com-
plete in Christ. — A mock salvation, ..... 606
CHAPTER LVHL
The Progress of the Mission. 1868.
Mrs. Booth in Norwood. — Little Missions. — Neither exogen,
endogen, nor acrogen. — Isolated efforts. — One-idea'd-
ness. — Self-invited defeat. — The first balance-sheet. — The
Mission Council. — 4,000 penitents during the year. —
XXIV GENERAL CONTENTS.
PAGE
Launching of the first magazine. — The East London Eva7i-
gelist. — Mrs. Booth's articles. — The spiritual armada. —
Joel's vision, 6i6
CHAPTER LIX.
Correspondence. 1868.
Mrs. Booth on vaccination. — The "immortal Jenner. " — Deception
the great /"icr/d' of the devil. — Faith and unbelief. — "On the
incline as a nation." — Illness and depression. — Lying
wounded in the camp. — "The Booths will be difficult to
hold, but they are worth the trouble." — Mr. Reed proposes
to build a hall. — The offer falls through. — The first great
anniversary celebration. — 1,420 Missioners visit Dunor-
lan. — Hearty reception by Mr. Reed, 629
CHAPTER LX.
Croydon, Edinburgh, Brighton. 1869.
Mrs. Booth at Croydon. — David and Jonathan. — An invitation
from Edinburgh. — The amalgamation ceremony. — Mrs.
Booth's reception by the Scotch. — Prejudices vanish. — A
Covenanter in the land of Covenanters. — A woman- Wal-
lace.— A powerful meeting. — Mrs. Booth at Brighton. — The
Dome. — Father Ignatius, ....... 642
CHAPTER LXI.
The Christian Mission. 1869-1870.
Death of Mrs. Booth's mother. — Her countenance illumined. —
The East London Mission takes the name of the Christian
Mission. — Purchase of the People's Market, Whitechapel. —
All-Nights of prayer. — The first experiments in the Social
Scheme. — Now a food and shelter depot. — The East End
Shiloh and the London Zions.— A second trip to Dunorlan, 652
THE LIFE OF MRS. BOOTH.
CHAPTER I.
SHADOWLAND. 1 820-1 829.
'' Coim'jig events east their shadows before."
The early days of those who have achieved great- Foreshad-
ness, and who have left their mark, either for good o/T^e^
or evil, upon the world, constitute a sort of shadow- f'^^'^^^-
land, which possesses a peculiar fascination of its
own. The arrival of a new actor upon the world's
vast stage is not always heralded, it is true, by blast
of trumpet and beat of drum, however important may
be the part that is about to be enacted. The sur-
roundings and circumstances are often surprisingly
trivial and contemptuously commonplace. As with
the equinoctial gales, such lives frequently come in
like a lamb, although they are destined to go out like
a lion. x\nd yet there is a something — Siself-asscriive-
ncss, shall we call it? — about true genius, which en-
forces recognition and extorts admiration, so that,
even in the undeveloped bud of early life, we find
ourselves involuntarily exclaiming : The child is verit-
ably father to the man !
True, at the time, few eyes are keen enough to dis- Retro-
. , spections.
cern the substance, of which these shadows are but
the type and promise. The great To Be is still
enveloped in the mists of futurity. Its shadow falls
2 MJiS. BOOTH.
for a moment with startling distinctness across our
path, only to disappear with equal suddenness from
our sight. And yet, viewed in the light of retro-
spect, much that was once obscure and difficult be-
comes luminously plain. Shadows are converted into
substance, possibilities into actualities, fugitive ex-
pectations into sober accomplishment. To look for-
ward and anticipate the future requires a prophet, to
look back and appreciate the past is possible to all,
so that even he who runs may read. And thus we are
impelled to explore every nook and cranny of the
child-life, confident that it contains abundant prom-
ise of the great hereafter. The little cloudlet, no
bigger than a man's hand, assumes a new interest,
above and beyond the many others that we have seen,
because we know that it betokens coming showers
and a sound of abundance of rain for the parched and
famine-stricken earth.
Inklings. And yet the search is often a very disappointing
one. The facts on which we can rely are few and far
between. The witnesses are mostly gone to their
reward, or can remember scarcely anything beyond
the ordinary humdrum of life. There is frequently
little, or nothing in the shape of written record to
which we may turn, and the meagre items we are
able to gather are just enough to make us wish for
more. In short, we can obtain but tantalizing
glimpses, when what our heart would crave is a long
satisfying look.
Mountain We are told there is a mountain peak in Africa,
towering high above the rest, which forms the most
conspicuous landmark for scores of miles ; and yet so
perpetually is it hidden in mists and clouds, that
explorers have been within a few miles without so
much as discovering its existence. Indeed, the same
SHADOWLAND. 3
traveller, who has at one time passed the spot and
noted nothing remarkable, has been surprised when,
on a later occasion, the clouds have suddenly un-
folded, the sun shone forth, and a snowy summit of
surprising height and surpassing grandeur has dis-
closed itself to view. For a time it seems so near
and so real that he is astonished at his own previous
obtuseness. And then the wind changes, the mist
rolls swiftly down the mountain-side, and he is
tempted to wonder whether, after all, the bewitching
vision he has just gazed upon may not have been some
fancy of his mind, similar to the water-mirage of the
desert or the deceitful will-o'-the-wisp of the fens.
Just so with this shadowland of life. The glimpses
we obtain are so scanty and brief, that we are bound
in some measure to be disappointed. And yet their
very fewness and fleetingness perhaps add something
to their attraction, while the distance through which
we are obliged to gaze only serves to " lend enchant-
ment to the view," and what we do see stands out in
vivid distinctness, like the peaks of some mountain
range against the background of the sky.
For those who stood in the valley of childhood, the
horizon was so limited that they could see but little
beyond their own immediate surroundings. To us,
who have climbed the mountain-side of life, it is
different. We are able to look down upon the land-
scape. Every turn in the road, every inch of up-
ward ascent, brings some fresh surprise. Here is a
tiny cascade leaping down the rocks, little more than
a silver thread amongst the surrounding foliage of
the forest. Yonder flows a stately river that sweeps
for hundreds of miles through the plains, and bears
on its bosom the largest ocean-going craft. It is
difficult to realise, as we stand beside the one, that it
4 - MJiS. BOOTH.
will ever develop to the size and power of the other.
And yet we cannot doubt the evidence of our senses.
The impossible has already come to pass before our
eyes.
And so we turn to explore the shadowland of a life
of which each type has been realised, and every
promise fulfilled. Thousands and tens of thousands
to whom the stream has borne its rich merchandise
of spiritual blessing will desire, no doubt, to trace
the river to its rise. Like Hindoo pilgrims, not con-
tent with bathing in the portion of the stream that
happens to flow past their dwelling, they will be eager
to follow its course from the spot where their sky-
born Ganges descends from the heavens to the broad-
ening of its waters in the trackless ocean of Eternity.
Mrs. At a very early age flashes of the spirituality, genius,
mother, and energy, that were destined to make so indelible
a mark upon the world, surprised and gladdened
Catherine's mother, as she watched with tender care,
and reared with difficulty, the fragile girl who be-
came, almost from infancy, her chief companion and
comforter. Mrs. Mumford was herself a remarkable
woman, and some of the leading traits in the daugh-
ter's character were no doubt inherited from the in-
tensely practical and courageous mother.
A painful At the very threshold of her life, an event occurred
which serves to illustrate the high principle by which
Mrs. Mumford was ever actuated. She had become
engaged to a gentleman of good position. Her
mother had died some years previously. Her father
was one who felt that his duty to his daughter had
ended in supplying her temporal needs. The aunt,
who kept house for him, was a being of harsh, un-
sympathetic material. No doubt these loveless sur-
roundings helped Miss Milward to think the more of
SHADOWLAND. 5
her choice, and she fancied herself upon the eve of
life-long felicity. To her friends the match seemed
a desirable one, and had met with their unhesitating-
approbation. The prospects were brilliant, and the
wedding day had been fixed, when, on the very eve
of the marriage, certain circumstances came to her
knowledge which proved conclusively that her lover
was not the high-souled, noble character she had
supposed him to be, indeed that he was unworthy
of the womanly love and confidence she had so un-
reservedly reposed in him. With the same prompt-
ness and decision which afterward characterised her
daughter, Miss Milward's mind was made up, and the
engagement was immediately broken off.
It was in vain that day after day her lover called
at the house, in the hope that he might persuade her
to relent. She dared not trust herself even to see
him, lest she should fall beneath the still keenly
realised temptation, and lest her heart should get the
better of her judgment. At length, seized with de-
spair, he turned his horse's head from the door and
galloped away, he knew not, cared not, whither —
galloped till his horse was covered with foam — gal-
loped till it staggered and fell, dying, beneath him,
while he rose to his feet a hopeless maniac! The
anxiety had been too much for his brain ; and the
next news that Miss Milward received was that he
had been taken to an asylum, where he would prob-
ably spend the rest of his days.
The shock was a terrible one I Not that she ever Miss MU-
allowed herself to regret for a moment, either then niness.
or subsequently, the step that she had taken. Her
sense of the claims of righteousness prevented this.
Nevertheless, she had not anticipated, far less desired,
that so swift and terrible a retribution should over-
6 MRS. BOOTH.
take him. She was overwhelmed by the catastrophe,
and, shutting herself into her room, lay for sixteen
weeks hovering between life and death.
Her extremity was God's opportunity. Whatever
man might think of her action in the matter, however
much she might be misunderstood and misjudged by
those around her, the bold, brave stand she had taken
for that which was pure and good could only be viewed
in one light by the Supreme Authorities of Heaven.
And so it came to pass, that, following on this deluge
of sorrow, and athwart its darkest cloud, was printed
the rainbow promise of salvation which was to glad-
den and console her after life, assuring her of abated
floods, of returning sunshine, and of " joy unspeak-
able and full of glory."
She is un- Sickucss gave Miss Milward the opportunity to
think, while sorrow and suffering combined to force
her attention in the direction of those spiritual inter-
ests which in seasons of health and vigour all are so
prone to neglect. Cradled in the Church of England,
at a time when vital godliness was rarer than is now
happily the case, Miss Milward knew little or nothing
of the plan of salvation. True, she possessed, in a
specially vivid degree, the instinct that made her ab-
hor that which was wrong, cruel, or cowardly. Her
conscience, moreover, was particularly sensitive. But
this only helped to increase the misery of her po-
Con- sition, since it enabled her to realise more acutely
VlYtCCCl of
sin. ' the sins to which she might otherwise have been
blind, and rendered impossible the false peace which
serves as a treacherous lullaby to so many sinful
hearts, luring them on, like the siren's melody,
only too swiftly and surely to their doom.
With Miss Milward this was now impossible. The
Spirit of God had striven with her. She had listened
SHADOWLAND.
to His voice. She realised her guilt and danger as a
sinner. To be a respectable one was no longer in
her eyes any palliation of her sin. On the contrary
her position seemed the less excusable. Hell itself
appeared too good for one so unworthy as she felt
herself to be.
She turned in her misery to her Prayer-Book.
Opening its pages, her eyes fell upon the passage,
"/ believe in the forgiveness of sins/' In some way or
other these words, which had never before possessed
any special power or meaning, now fastened them-
selves upon her mind. Continually she heard them
ringing in her ears, " / believe in the forgiveness of
sins." For hours she lay with her fingers placed
upon the line. " And yet," she would say to herself,
" what good is this forgiveness, if I cannot obtain it
here and now — if I have to wait, as I am told, till after
death for the assurance. This, ah this, is just what
my soul craves ! Alas, that it should be so far beyond
my reach!"
The question preyed upon her mind to such an
extent as to render her recovery impossible. The
doctor who had been attending her seized an oppor-
tunity for telling Mr. Milward that some secret sor-
row was evidently affecting his daughter, and neu-
tralising all the efforts made for her restoration. It
was important, he added, that the difficulty should be
discovered, and if possible removed.
Naturally enough her father ascribed everything
to the unhappy occurrences which had been the orig-
inal cause of her illness, little thinking that the
grounds for her mental anxiety had undergone so
radical a change. Desiring to comfort her, he mani-
fested a tenderness and solicitude to which the
motherless girl had hitherto been a stransfer. And
Turns to
her
prayer-
book.
The
doctor^s
verdict.
8
MJiS. BOOTH.
Hears of
the Meth-
odists.
Her con-
version.
yet to unburden her heart to him would, she knew, be
useless. Although a regular church-goer, her father
could not understand the experiences through which
she was passing.
By a remarkable coincidence, which was surely
more than accidental, the Methodists had at this
time commenced to hold meetings in the town, buy-
ing from Mr. Milward a piece of land on which to
erect their chape'l. The news that many had received
the very forgiveness for which she had been so eagerly
seeking, soon reached Miss Milward. Oh ! how she
wished that she had been well enough to attend the
services! Nothing should have withheld her! But
this was impossible, as she was unable to rise, and
there seemed little prospect of her recovery. En-
couraged, however, by her father's kindness, she
asked that the new minister might be allowed to visit
their house, and Mr. Milward, only too pleased to
find his daughter once more interesting herself in
matters which had no reference to the recent sad
event, gave his hearty consent.
The minister gladly responded to the call. If
ever a thirsty soul welcomed the living waters of the
Gospel, it was surely Miss Milward. To know that
she could be forgiven, not after death, but on the
spot, without even waiting to attend a meeting, filled
her with new hope and longing. The plan of salva-
tion flashed in upon her soul in all its glorious sim-
plicity. The same Holy Spirit, Who had previously
convicted her so deeply in regard to her sinfulness,
now revealed to her the immediate and all-prevailing
efficacy of the blood shed, not merely for the salva-
tion of the world, but for her own individual soul.
For a time it seemed too good to be true. Her sins
were too many and great, her heart too hard and cold,
SHADOWLAND. 9
for the guilt of a life to be blotted out in a moment.
The preacher's recipe, " repentance toward God and
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," was almost too simple
to be trusted. It appeared at first incredible. But
at length she grasped the truth. It was too precious,
too potent, too necessary to be doubted or denied.
With all her heart she embraced it, and was able to
realise during that first interview that her sins were
forgiven.
Wonderful to relate, scarcely had the minister left, Healed in
• 1 11 body.
when Miss Milward was able to rise, dress, and leave
her room, healed in body as well as in soul.
With Miss Milward the change was not one of mere tms tvay
creed or sentiment. It penetrated every fibre of her ^ ^^ ^^ "
being. It shone through her every capacity. It
revolutionised her life, and marked indelibly her
whole career. Amid the worldly amusements and
fashionable follies to which she had been accustomed,
she had often heard the warning voice of God. While
playing cards or joining in the giddy dance, her mirth
had been continually damped by thoughts of death
and a sense of condemnation. Frequently as she
went to the theatre of her native town, when her
eyes fell upon the words "This way to the pit," con-
science had shuddered. But now such pleasures were
forever abandoned, and from, that moment she never
cast upon them a single backward glance.
Even to the details of her dress was the change a thor-
1 r • -\ i- ough
manifest. Her hat was stripped of its adornments change.
and made to resemble, as closely as possible, that of
some pious Methodist dame, whose godliness and self-
denial she had learned to admire . Her wayward locks
of hair were plastered into similar soberness. Her
relentless scissors made havoc of ball-dresses, the
remnants of which in after years served to furnish
lO MRS. BOOTH.
frocks for lier daughter's dolls! With heart and soul
she set to work to please God in everything, embrac-
ing the cross of an out-and-out Methodist, and this
at a time when it meant very much what it now
means to become a Salvationist. The consciousness
that she was doing right, together with the realised
smile of God, enabled her to face unflinchingly the
contempt and opposition of those who would have
held her back.
For some time Mr. Milward humoured what he
looked upon as the fanciful caprices of his daughter.
He even went so far as to accompany her to some of
the meetings, though he had but little sympathy with
what he considered to be the eccentricities and noisy
performances of the revivalists. Occasionally Miss
Milward even succeeded in cajoling her aunt to en-
dure the familiar vulgarities and loud Amens, with
which the proceedings of Methodism were in its early
days commonly enlivened.
From time to time special preachers came to con-
to Mr. duct the services. One of the most popular of these
was John Mumford. Even the Gorgonian aunt was
constrained to appreciate him, and was heard to de-
clare in an unguarded moment that he was certainly
the finest young man in the town. For a time all
went well. But dire was the wrath, and boundless
the indignation of Mr. Milward, when he learned
that John Mumford had dared to aspire to the hand
of his daughter. Not only was the young preacher
ordered out of the house, but, as the door slammed
behind him, Mr. Milward with his own hand turned
the key in the lock, as though to make his return
doubly impossible.
Homeless! He then sternly called upon his daughter to choose
between her lover and her home. Either the proposed
Engaged
12
MRS. BOOTH.
Marries
Mr. Mum-
ford.
The re-
concilia-
tion.
engagement must be forever abandoned, or she must
leave at once her father's roof, and face the conse-
quences, be they what they might. The ordeal was
a trying one, but her courage did not waver.
True to his word, and urged on by the aunt, Mr.
Milward at length commanded his daughter to leave
the house. She went forth penniless, without so much
as a change of clothing, sacrificing every worldly pro-
spect. Few would have had on the one hand the cour-
age to stand firm, or on the other hand the patience and
faith to wait till the barriers should be swept away,
not by her own, but by a Higher Power. Her confi-
dence in God was rewarded, and within a few months
she was married to John Mumford with her father's
full consent and blessing.
On his dying bed Mr. Milward sent for John to pray
with him. "Let us pra)' with you," volunteered a
relative, who was in the room. " No, you are not com-
petent," replied the dying man. "Fetch me John."
And so the Methodist son-in-law was brought. What
a contrast was there between this visit and the previ-
ous one, when he had been driven ignominiously from
the house, with no apparent likelihood of ever being
able to return! Death, the universal leveller, had
opened the door, which Mr. Milward thought he had
forever closed. And so, with a heart overflowing with
gratitude, the once exiled daughter watched her hus-
band kneel beside her dying father's bed and point
him to the " Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin
of the world." And how triumphant must have been
the final reunion, when, some fifty years later, father
and dauofhter met
" Beyond the river,
Where the surges cease to roll."
CHAPTER II.
CHILDHOOD. 1 829-1 834.
Catherine Mumford, or, as she is more familiarly Mrs.
known, Catherine Booth, was born at Ashbourne in bfrthpiace
Derbyshire on the 17th January, 1829. She was the
only daughter in a family of five. Of her brothers
the youngest, John, alone survived, the three elder
having died during infancy.
"One of the earliest recollections of my life, in fact Herearii-
€St V&COh"
the earliest," says Mrs. Booth, "is that of being taken iccUon.
into a room by my mother, to see the body of a little
brother who had just died. I must have been very
young at the time, scarcely more than two years old.
But I can remember, to this day, the feelings of awe
and solemnity with which the sight of death impressed
my baby-mind. Indeed, the effect produced on that
occasion has lasted to this very hour. I am sure that
many parents enormously under-estimate the capacity
of children to retain impressions made upon them in
early days."
Mrs. Mumford was a wise mother. She realised -^n im-
, 1 . 1 . , . , . - 1 pressmn-
that it was during the tender years of life that the able age.
human clay would respond most readily to the mould-
ing hand of the maternal potter. The damp and
impressionable material could be shaped almost ab-
solutely according to the mother's will, whereas, once
baked and hardened at the furnace fires of sin and
worldliness, it would defy the most powerful influ-
13
14 MUS. BOOTH.
1831, ences that could be brought to bear upon it, or shiver
^^ * in pieces beneath severities which timely firmness
would have rendered unnecessary, and which were of
no avail, because applied too late.
Nursery Nor was Kate relegated to the dull monotony of a
monotony ■'
mere nursery existence. Mrs. Mumford felt instinc-
tively that the moral germ could no more dispense
with light and air than could the bud of any tree or
plant. While on the one hand it must be guarded
from those outward storms of temptation and worldly
companionship which have, alas, wrecked so many,
yet to place it in the dark, with little or no chance
for heart-expansion and mind-development, would
"be to stunt its growth, and to j^roduce a sickly weak-
ling, incapable of dealing with the momentous re-
sponsibilities and opportunities of life. Just as the
same bud would under one set of influences expand
and fructify, while under another it would droop and
die, so the same character might be made or marred
according to the treatment it received.
Its fatal Who can estimate how many beautiful blossoms
are blighted, how many noble natures spoiled, by
being abandoned to a ceaseless association with un-
suitable or careless inferiors? In what a multiplicity
of cases are the lambs left to the hireling, while the
one whom God intended to play the part of the
shepherd is busying herself with a thousand trivial-
ities, such as will matter little enough when she stands
with her flock to give an account of her stewardship
before the Throne! In later life Mrs. Booth em-
phatically declared her conviction that, however
devoted or clever a nurse might be, she could not
take the place of the mother, and that nothing could
compensate for the loss of the companionship, train-
ing, and care of the latter. Speaking on this subject
conse
guences
CHILDHOOD. 1 5
with all the advantages of her matured experience, 1831,
Mrs. Booth says : ^^^ ^'
" Confining children strictly to the nursery is, I ^ fjreat
1.1 -1 <^ 1 1 • inistake.
think, a great mistake. God has set us m families,
and intercourse with their elders over the ordinary
affairs of life must be improving to the young. In
fact, topics of general conversation, providing they
be largfe and elevating, constitute an education such -^ S'off'
*=> *^ education
as no books can supply. In my own family, of
course, the conversation was always such as had to
do with the salvation of the world. Nevertheless, I
have been present at many dinner tables where Tabie-
ennobling subjects were never mentioned, and the
veriest trifles occupied tongue and thought. Perhaps
it is best for children to be kept from such."
From an incredibly early age, Catherine, or Kate, Hermoth-
as she was usually called, became her mother's com- ji^nion.
panion and confidante. With the exception of her
brother, who went to America when only sixteen, she
had no playmates. Children, as a rule, were so badly ^•opiay-
brought up, that Mrs. Mumford dreaded their con-
taminating influence upon her daughter. To some
this may appear too harsh a rule, but it was one which
Mrs. Booth herself adopted in bringing up her fam-
ily, and the result has surely justified its wisdom.
On one of the few occasions when she allowed two of
her children to visit the house of a particular friend,
they returned expressing their astonishment that
fathers and mothers could disagree and that brothers
and sisters could quarrel, or be jealous of each other.
But what Kate lacked in outside companionship was a careful
abundantly compensated by the close and intimate '«""'^s|-
ties which linked mother and daughter in bonds that
grew stronger year by year, and that death itself could
but for the moment sever. The sapling, which was
i6
MRS. BOOTH.
1833,
Age 4.
A tender
con-
science.
My moth-
er''s char-
acter.
The real-
ity of
Heaven.
one day to outstrip and overshadow the parent tree,
throve well those early years under the sheltering
foliage of a mother's love, and abundantly rewarded
the ceaseless solicitude and unwearying care of which
it was the object. The conscience, which might have
been blunted by undue and premature familiarity with
evil, appealed to and cultivated became keenly sen-
sitive, responding like an aeolian harp to the slightest
whisperings of the Spirit.
Catherine was but four years old, when Mrs. Mum-
ford heard her crying bitterly after being tucked up
for the night in her little crib. With sobs and tears
she poured forth into her mother's sympathetic ear
the confession of some falsehood, which had so trou-
bled her conscience as to render sleep impossible.
Mrs. Mumford did not attempt to excuse the fault,
or to reason the impression away, but talked and
prayed with her, not leaving her until she felt herself
forgiven. Then conscience satisfied, the tired curly
head quickly nestled on its pillow, and little Kate was
soon asleep.
"The longer I live," Mrs. Booth writes, "the more
I appreciate my mother's character. She was one
of the Puritan type. I have often heard my husband
remark that she was a woman of the sternest principle
he had ever met, and yet the very embodiment of
tenderness. To her right was right, no matter what
it might entail. She could not endure works of
fiction. *Is it true?' she would ask, refusing to waste
her time or sympathies upon anything of an imag-
inary character, however excellent the moral intended
to be drawn. She had an intense realisation of spirit-
ual things. Heaven seemed quite near, instead of
being, as with so many, a far-off unreality. It was a
positive joy to her that her three eldest children were
CHILDHOOD. 1 7
there. I never heard her thank the Lord for any- 1833,
thing so fervently as for this, although they were fine ^^ '^'
promising boys. ' Ah, Kate, ' she used to say, ' I would
not have them back for anything! ' "
The stirring example of such a life, and the per-
petual influence of such deep spirituality, could not
but produce a profound impression upon Catherine.
"I cannot remember the time," she tells us, "when
I had not intense yearnings after God."
While, however, the soul had the first place in Mrs. Mental
^ aevelop-
Mumford's consideration, this did not prevent her »ient.
commencing in good time to develop her daughter's
mental powers. It was true she had her own ideas
in regard to education. French she abominated, and ^^
she would not allow Kate to study a language which ^^'^^(^f^-
she argued would open the door to the infidel and
impure novelistic literature with which she knew it
to abound, and which she regarded with peculiar hor-
ror. Little did she think that her granddaughter
was destined not only to master the language, but to
take France upon her heart, and to go forth to its
people as its Marechale and spiritual "Jeanne d' Arc."
Strange, too, that the nation which had burned the
ancient championess should have sent for the service
of their old antagonist one who laid claim to similar
divine inspiration, though striving to liberate her
adopted people from the thraldom of sin and Satan,
instead of from that of a foreign yoke.
In each case the instinct of humanity, so similar the
world over, recognises the Spirit of the Supreme, al-
though, as in so many remarkable instances, the mani-
festation is through a woman rather than a man !
Referring in later years to her mother's ideas with a mis-
regard to French, Mrs. Booth remarks: "I cannot
but think that on this point my dear mother was mis-
MRS. BOOTH.
1833,
Age 4.
Thou-
sands
ruined.
Child
studies.
Intensely
nervous.
Bible les-
sons.
Eight
times
through.
taken, and that she might have allowed me the oppor-
tunity of acquiring the language, while guarding me
from the evils she so dreaded. I have found this to
be possible in the case of my own children, having
taken every care that they should read no French
books concerning the purity and safety of which 1
was not perfectly satisfied. At the same time I be-
lieve that thousands have indirectly been ruined,
both for this world and the next, owing to the use in
schools and academies of the works of Voltaire, and
other brilliant but ungodly French writers."
If, however, Mrs. Mumford's prejudices obliged
Kate to eschew French, she at least made an early
beginning with her English education. " My mother
has told me," she says, "that I not only knew my let-
ters, but could read short w^ords very soon after I was
three. I cannot myself remember a time when I did
not find pleasure and consolation in reading, or hear-
ing others read, either the Bible, or some religious
book. I was a very highly nervous and delicate
child from the beginning, and the fact that I was not
strong enough to occupy my energies and time like
other children doubtless had something to do with
this rather unusual precocity.
Especially w^as Mrs. Mumford anxious to encourage
her daughter in the study of the Book which she
looked upon as the supreme fountain of wisdom. It
was from the Bible that Kate received her earliest
lessons. Many a time would she stand on a foot-
stool at her mother's side, when but a child of five,
reading to her from its pages. Before she w^as
twelve years old she had read the sacred Book from
cover to cover eight times through, thus laying the
foundation of that intimate knowledge and excep-
tional familiarity with the divine revelation which
CHILDHOOD. 19
made so profound an impression upon all who knew 1833,
her. "-^^ '■
Thirty years later the position was reversed, and Thirty
i/en rs
the weeping mother sat in a densely crowded chapel, 'later.
listening- for the first time to her daughter, as with
power and demonstration of the Spirit she expounded
from the pulpit to her eagerly listening audience
those same Scriptures which she had studied at her
mother's knee, and which had become indeed, when
breathed from her lips, "quick and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart." "Was it for t/a's that I
nursed her?" exclaimed Mrs. Mumford, amid her
tears, as she grasped the hand of a lady who had ac-
companied her to the meeting.
To the end of life, Catherine maintained this in- Her last
gift.
tense love and reverence for the Scriptures, and her
last and most valued gift to each member of her
family, from the very banks of the Jordan, w^as that
of a Bible, into which, with the greatest pain and
difficulty, she traced her name, as "the last token of
a mother's love."
And yet Kate was not unchildlike. True, she was Partiality
- • -, 1 . . . for dolls.
prevented by her delicate health from engagmg m
active sports. But her humanity and naturalness
manifested itself in a thousand ways, especially in
her extreme partiality for dolls. Indeed so devoted
was she to her miniature family, and in so practical
a manner did she labor for them, that with her it al-
most ceased to be play, and rather became a pleasing
education for the heavy and responsible maternal
duties which fell to her lot in after life. She must practical.
feed them, dress them, put them to bed, and even
20 MRS. BOOTH,
1833, pray with them, before her mother-heart could be
satisfied. And in her spare moments she might be
seen, with earnest face and bended back, eagerly
plying needle and thread, thus accquiring a skill which
she turned to such good account in after life, that
ladies in admiring her handiwork would beg to be
told the name of her tailor, in order that they might
go to the same place for their children's clothes.
^cioud ■'-^ ^^^ during Kate's early childhood, in fact while
she was but three or four years old, that a dark cloud
overshadowed the little home. Mr. Mumford was no
longer the earnest preacher he had once been. His
love for God and souls grew cold. He lost the old
fire. He had never joined the regular ministry of
the Wesleyan body, although for years he had been
an accredited and successful lay preacher. He was
a coach builder by profession, and as an unpaid honor-
ary official he earned his support from his business,
devoting his spare time to fulfilling such preaching
engagements as were marked out for him by his min-
ister. Mr. Mumford ought, without doubt, to have
Owjht to been a minister. His remarkable eloquence, repro-
hace been ^ ^
aminister duccd in liis daughter, his spiritual power, his popu-
larity as a preacher, his natural predilections, and the
happy possession of a partner in life thoroughly like-
minded with himself , all pointed in the one direction.
Repeatedly, as he afterward acknowledged, the Spirit
of God strove with him on the subject. But he re-
sisted. The beacon-light of conscience was quenched.
Little by little, almost insensibly at first, and after-
wards with more rapid strides, he turned toward the
world, and at length gave up even the profession of
religion .
Mrs. Mumford was filled with grief, but with her
wonted tenacity of purpose she held on, refusing to
CHILDHOOD.
21
despair. Long into the nights she would pray for
her husband, and indeed made it the goal of her ex-
istence to win him back to the blessed experiences
of the past.
At length, after a season of sorrow which left its
life-mark upon her, prayer was, in measure, an-
swered, and Mr. Mumford turned from the pursuits
and pleasures of the world to find his satisfaction in
higher things. True, he was not what he had been
when Sarah Milward first met him, the fiery enthusi-
astic preacher of salvation, with whom she had fallen
so spontaneously in love. Nevertheless, the change
was great and was hailed with joy.
Thirty years later, in one of Mrs. Booth's first pub-
lic meetings, she had the exceptional happiness of
leading her father back to the full enjoyment of God's
favour.
It was a beautiful sight, in after-years, to watch
the fine, venerable, white-haired old man in his
daughter's meetings, as with the humility and sim-
plicity of a child he assisted her in the management
of the services, held up his watch to remind her of
the too often forgotten time, or prayed with a fervency
and unction that few could surpass.
1834,
Ages.
A pray-
in(j wife.
Restored.
Full con-
secration.
Father
and
daughter.
CHAPTER III.
EARLY DAYS. 1 834-1 841.
S^Bo^m '^^^ family removed in 1834 to Boston, in Lincoln-
shire, Mr. Mumford's native town. During his stay
here he commenced to take an active part in the Tem-
perance movement, his home becoming a centre round
which many of the leading Temperance luminaries
revolved. Catherine, with her curly locks and flashing
black eyes, together with her brilliant conversational
powers, was before long one of the most interesting
features of her father's table, taking her share in the
parlor debates, which were to prove So valuable a
training for her future career.
Her early She could do nothing by halves. Eagerly she de-
voured all the Total Abstinence publications of the
day, familiarising herself , by the time she was twelve,
with every detail of the question. When evening
came she would lock herself into her bedroom, and
by the light of her candle would pour out her heart
upon paper, writing letters to the various magazines
to which her father subscribed. In doing this she
was careful to conceal her identity beneath soraenom-
de-phimc, giving her manuscripts to a friend to be
copied and sent to the editor with his card, lest they
should be rejected if it were known they had been
written by so mere a child. Little did she then think
that the day was coming when newspaper reporters
would attend her meetings, the general public hang
upon her lips, and her writings be circulated through-
writings.
EARL Y DA YS.
23
out the world. Nor was Kate content with merely
speaking and writing. The wonderful after-activities
of life were foreshadowed in the twelve-year-old
secretary of a Juvenile Temperance Society, who
arranged meetings, raised subscriptions, and with all
her might pushed forward the interests of the cause.
1838.
Temper-
ance sec-
retary.
Catherine at the Side (.e the Drunkard.
" If I were asked for the main characteristics that Her sense
of respon-
have helped me through life, I should give a high siMUty.
place among them to the sense of responsibility
which I have felt from my earliest days in regard to
everybody who came in any way under my influence.
The fact that I was not /ar/d responsible was no relief
24 MRS. BOOTH.
1838. at all. 'Why trouble? It is not your affair ! ' friends
constantly say to me even now. But how can I help
troubling, I reply, when I see people going wrong?
I must tell the poor things how to manage!"
An early illustration of this trait in Catherine's
character was one day manifested.
Her sym- While running along the road with hoop and stick,
ivith a she saw a prisoner being dragged to the lock-up by a
prisoner. ... , - . , ^
constable. A jeering mob was hootmg the unfortu-
nate culprit. His utter loneliness appealed power-
fully to her. It seemed that he had not a friend in
the world. Quick as lightning Catherine sprang to his
side, and marched down the street with him, deter-
mined that he should feel that there was at least one
Stands by heart that sympathised with him, whether it might
be for his fault or his misfortune that he was suffer-
ing. The knight-errant spirit which Kate manifested,
when, as a mere child, she threw down the gauntlet
to the mocking crowd, and dared to take the part of
the lonely hustled criminal, was peculiarly typical of
the woman who afterward stood by the side of her
husband and General, helping him to face the scorn
of his day and generation, until unitedly, with char-
acter vindicated and name be-blessed, they had
climbed to a position of successful achievement,
unique in the history of the world.
Her first It was Catherine's first open-air procession; indeed,
^sion^' may we not legitimately call it the first ever held by
the Salvation Army? But it was destined to be multi-
plied a million-fold all over the world, and she was to
have the joy of sweeping the slums of every consider-
able city in the United Kingdom, not alone, but at
the head of devoted and well-disciplined bands of-
Salvation warriors, till at length the glorious past was
focussed in the mammoth funeral march which stirred
EARLY DAYS. 25
Christendom to its centre, when the very harlots 1839,
hushed each other in the streets, and the rough un- ^^ ^°'
accustomed cheeks of the poorest and most depraved
were wet with tears, as they watched the speechless,
yet eloquently silent body pass by of the woman wdio
from her very childhood had held their cause first at
heart, and who had so unwearyingly fought their bat-
tles. We scarce know which touches our hearts the
more deeply, the cloudless sunrise of the child-cham-
pion, or the glowing sunset of the soldier-saint.
One form of sensitiveness which manifested itself Her sym-
in Kate's childhood, and which caused her the keenest ^animals!"
pain to the very end of life, was her intense and un-
usual sympathy with the sufferings of the brute cre-
ation. She could not endure to see animals ill-treated
without expostulating and doing her utmost to stop jj ^ ^ f
the cruelt3\ Many a time she would run out into the cruelty.
street, heedless of every personal risk, to plead with
or threaten the perpetrator of some cruel act. On one
occasion, when but a little girl, the sight of the cruel
goading of some sheep so filled her soul with indig-
nation and anguish, that she rushed home and threw
herself on the sofa in a speechless paroxysm of grief.
"My childish heart," she tells us, "rejoiced greatly Their pos-
in the speculations of Wesley and Butler with regard future.
to the possibility of a future life for animals, in which
God might make up to them for the suffering and
pain inflicted on them here.
"One incident, I recollect, threw me for weeks into Her re-
the greatest distress. We had a beautiful retriever,
named Waterford, which was very much attached to
me. It used to lie for hours on the rug outside my
door, and if it heard me praying or weeping, it would
whine and scratch to be let in, that it might in some
way manifest its sympathy and comfort me. Where-
26
MRS. BOOTH.
1839,
Age 10,
ever I went the dog would follow me about as my
self-constituted protector — in fact we were insepar-
able companions. One day Waterford had accom-
. panied me on a message to my father's house of bus-
iness. I closed the door, leaving the dog outside,
when I happened to strike my foot against something,
and cried out with the sudden pain. Waterford
heard me, and without a moment's hesitation came
crashing through the large glass window to my res-
cue. My father was so vexed at the damage done
Its death, that he caused the dog to be immediately shot. For
months I suffered intolerably, especiall)'' in realising
that it was in the effort to alleviate my sufferings the
beautiful creature had lost its life. Days passed be-
fore I could speak to my father, although he after-
ward greatly regretted his hasty action, and strove
to console me as best he could. The fact that I had
no child companions doubtless made me miss my
speechless one the more."
Like her other benevolences, Mrs. Booth's kindness
to animals took a practical turn. "If I were you,"
she would say to the donkey-boys at the sea-side
resorts, where in later years she went to lecture, " I
should like to feel, when I went to sleep at night, that
I had done my very best for my donkey. I would
like to know that I had been kind to it, and had given
it the best food I could afford ; in fact, that it had had
as jolly a day as though I had been the donkey and
the donkey mc." And she would enforce the argu-
ment with a threepenny or a sixpenny bit, which
helped to make it palatable.
Then turning to her children she would press the
lesson home by saying, " 77m/ is how I should like to
see my children spend their pennies, in encouraging
the boys to be kind to their donkeys."
The clon-
keii-boi/s
at the
seaside.
EARL V DA YS.
27
If, in her walks or drives, Mrs. Booth happened to
notice any horses left out to graze which looked over-
worked and ill-fed, she would send round to the deal-
ers for a bushel of corn, stowing it away in some
part of the house. Then, wdien evening fell, she
would sally forth with a child or servant carrying a
vSupply of the food to the field in which the poor creat-
ures had been marked, watching with the utmost
satisfaction while they had a '"real good tuck-in."
It is not to be wondered at that the horses were soon
able to recognise her, and would run along the hedge
whenever their benefactors passed by, craning their
necks and snorting their thanks, to the surprise and
perplexity of those who were not in the secret.
Again and again has Mrs. Booth rushed to the win-
dow, flung up the heavy sash, and called out to some
tradesman who was ill-treating his animal, not resting
till she had compelled him to desist.
"Life is such a puzzle!" she used to say, "but we
must leave it, leave it with God. I have suffered so
much over what appeared to be the needless and in-
explicable sorrows and pains of the animal creation,
as well as over those of the rest of the world, that if
I had not come to know God by a personal revelation
of Him to my own soul, and to trust Him because I
knew Him, I can hardly say into what scepticism I
might not have fallen."
On one occasion when driving out with a friend,
Mrs. Booth saw a boy with a donkey a little way
ahead of them. She noticed him pick up something
out of the cart, and hit the donkey with it. In the
distance it appeared like a short stick, but to her hor-
ror she perceived, as they drove past, that it was a
heavy-headed hammer, and that already a dreadful
wound had been made in the poor creature's back.
1840,
Age II.
A good
tuck-in.
Life a
puzzle.
Rescuing
a donkey.
28
MRS. BOOTH.
1840,
Age II.
Slie seizes
the reins.
Faints
aivay.
Oblivious
to conse-
quences.
She called to the coachman to stop ; but before it was
possible for him to do so, or for those in the carriage
with her to guess what was the matter, she had flung
herself at the risk of her life into the road. Her dress
caught in the step as she sprang, and had it not been
torn with the force of her leap, she must have been
seriously injured if not killed.
As it was, she fell on her face and was covered with
the dust of the hot and sandy road. Rising to her
feet, however, she rushed forward and seized the
reins. The boy tried to drive on, but she clung per-
sistently to the shaft, until her friends came to her
assistance. After burning words of warning, fol-
lowed by tender appeals of intercession, such as from
even th^ hard heart of the donkey-driver would not
easily be effaced, she at last induced him to hand
over his hammer and succeded in obtaining his name
and address. Then overcome with the excitement
and exertion she fainted away, and was with difficulty
carried home.
To some this may appear to have been an unwise
expenditure of a valuable life on behalf of so compar-
atively worthless an object, but such was the effect of
cruelty upon her whole being that Mrs. Booth became
at times like these oblivious to consequences, and was
often rendered for the moment speechless, being
quite unable even to explain herself to those around
her. Indeed, it seemed a physical impossibility,
when her soul was thus stirred with sympathy, to
subdue her feelings, or calmly "to pass by on the
other side." And, after all, is not the world full of
people who are so bent on taking care of themselves
that they cannot be persuaded to sacrifice anything
in the cause of humanity? If Mrs. Booth, both as
a child and in after years, went too far, are there not
EARL V DA YS. 29
tens of thousands who do not go far enough, and 1841.
would not the world be the better for infinitely more
of the same Christ-like, reckless spirit, which, in its
anxiety to save others, cannot, even in voicing the
groans of the dumb creation, save itself? Of her how
truly might it have been said :
"Let others look and linger,
And wait for beck and nod !
I ever see the finger
Of an onward-urging God!"
But perhaps we have lingered too long in describ- A'o hohinj-
ing this interesting feature of Catherine's child-char-
acter and in tracing it onward through her later life.
And yet, intensely as she felt on the subject, her sound
judgment prevented her from making a hobby of it,
or from developing this side of her sympathies to the
neglect of other questions of still greater importance.
Catherine early realised and throughout life acted
consistently upon the principle that, even for the
sufferings of the animal creation, the sovereign rem-
edy was the salvation of its oppressors. She had no
sympathy with those who hoped to accomplish the
redemption of the world independently of the Gospel.
"Jesus Christ and Him crucified" was her perpetual
and untiring theme; His salvation her one great
panacea for all the evils that exist.
As a child Kate delighted in attending religious Her lovc
meetings. "Be sure and wake me in good time," meetings.
were her last words on one occasion, when her mother
was leaving her bedroom after bidding her daughter
an affectionate "good-night." It was the end of the
year, and Mrs. Mumford had promised, as a special
treat, that Kate should go with her to the watch-
night service. But an aunt, who held different views
30 MRS. BOOTH.
1841 on the training of children, happened to step in dur-
ing the evening, and, as Kate was soundly asleep
when the time arrived for going to the meeting, the
mother was persuaded into leaving her behind. " I
cried bitterly, when I awoke the next morning," she
tells us, "and it was a long time before I could be con-
soled. This was the only occasion I can ever re-
member, when my mother broke her promise, and
the unexpected nature of the disappointment perhaps
helped to make me feel it the more keenly."
An intei- No doubt Katc's peculiar disposition and training
chiid-iis- enabled her to appreciate and enjoy meetings such as,
tener. ^^ ordinary children, would have been dull and un-
interesting. By the time she was twelve it was quite
usual for her to give her mother an outline of the
sermon. The Wesle3^ans had several earnest preach-
ers in Boston, and their child-hearer had often some
interesting accounts to bring home regarding their
sayings and doings. On one occasion, for instance,
^mhie^to^ the speaker laid his Bible across the door-step of the
^^^^- Chapel, and then, turning to address the sinners pres-
ent, cried out in tones that thrilled the audience:
" Now which of you have made up your minds to walk
over that book to hell?"
Her at- Kate and her mother were deeply attached to Meth-
to Meth- odism. Its literature was their meat and drink; its
history was their pride — its heroes and heroines their
admiration. They had no other idea than to spend
in its ranks the whole of their life, and to- devote to
the advancement of its cause their every effort. Lit-
tle Catherine used to watch with profound pity the
members of other denominations who passed the
house on the way to their various places of worship.
She wished, from the depths of her heart, that they
could enjoy the same happy experiences as those of
odism.
EARL Y DA YS. 3 1
Methodists. No higher idea of holiness and devotion 1841.
seemed possible to her.
A subject which deeply engaged her interest and -i»ic^. for-
attention, and for which amongst her many self- missions.
imposed duties she managed to find time, was that
of foreign missions. Some of her happiest hours
were spent in meetings organised on their behalf.
The stories of the needs and dangers of the heathen
world made a powerful impression upon her deep and
impulsive heart. All her sympathies were enlisted
on behalf of the coloured races of the earth. The
negroes especially appealed to her, seeming to be the
most oppressed, and the least capable of defending
themselves.
Nor could she rest satisfied with doing less than Collecting
her small utmost to speed forward the cause. Gladly
she renounced her sugar and in various ways stinted
herself to help the work, and when she had practised
all the self-denial possible, she would collect subscrip-
tions amongst her friends, often realising, to her un-
speakable delight, quite a surprising sum. It must
have been difficult indeed to say "no'" to the ardent Hard to
little enthusiast, and even those who felt but scant
interest in the foreign field would find it hard to re-
sist the appeal that in later years bowed the hearts of
so many thousands. And the little girl-missionary,
who saved and begged for the heathen, lived to see
the institution of an annual week of self-denial
throughout the world, singularly enough closing her
ministry of sacrifice and love on the last day of such
a week. A missionary, did we say? A still higher
privilege was to be hers, as joint-founder with her
husband of the largest missionary society in the
world.
The dreams of the child-politician, who so early
32
MRS. BOOTH.
1841.
Dreams
realised.
fought the battles of the people across her family
table, were to be more than realised, in the rescuing,
during her life-time, of tens of thousands from drink,
debauchery, poverty, and crime, and in the scheme
of social salvation launched after her death by the
one with whom she had proved for nearly forty years
so able a co-worker. A scheme which has startled the
The Wesleyan Chapel in Boston.
civilized world — inspiring with fresh enthusiasm the
heart of every well-wisher of mankind and with new
hope the despairing outcasts of society ; promising at
no distant date the peaceful solution of a problem
that has threatened to convulse empires, and for
which no settlement has hitherto seemed possible
save in an ocean of blood.
CHAPTER IV.
SCHOOL LIFE. 1841-1843.
Catherine's school experiences were of compara- Hermoth-
tively brief duration. Her mother preferred that her %ke /or
education should be pursued at home, dreading the ^^ °°^'
effects of unsuitable companionships. Still stronger
were the views and more unqualified the antipathy
with which Mrs. Booth afterward regarded the entire
fabric of modern schooldom.
The tendency of the age to dissolve the natural ties Shared by
of blood, and to abolish parental responsibility, by Booth.
herding children together under the care of those
who are too often totally unsuited to prepare them
for the responsibilities of life, could not be, she
argued, in accordance with God's plan. The mental
culture, the general information, or the social veneer
they might thus obtain are dearly paid for by the
sacrificial holocaust of innocence, virtue, and spirit-
uality that this educational Taganath demands. "Let The edu-
•' ^ o cational
thy gifts be to thyself and give thy rewards to an- Jaganath
other," she would say to this latter-day Moloch, who
fattens year by year on the youth, the talent, and
the beauty of the nation, marking out for his victims
the choicest in the land, fascinating with his glitter-
ing eye, and encircling within his deadly coils prince,
prelate, and people alike, till few are left who have
not in his honour passed through the fatal fires.
To Mrs. Booth the great pasteboard image set up ^^^^Pf,^^'
in the plains of Christendom by the nineteenth cen- image.
3 33
34
MRS. BOOTH.
1841,
Age 12,
Educated
fiends.
One lan-
guage
enough
for the
devil.
A warn-
ing to
parents.
tury Nebuchadnezzars of her day had no attraction.
Like the three Hebrew heroes, she stubbornly re-
fused to bow the knee before it. "Better," she said,
"be cast into the sevenfold-heated fires of poverty
and worldly oblivion, than purchase the favour of
monarchs at a cost that should imperil the soul."
She never wearied in warning parents against a
system, which had proved so destructive of spirituality,
turning many of the purest and most hopeful children
into educated fiends, whose power for evil had been
only increased by the intellectual weapons with which
they had been armed. "What are you going to do
with your education?" she would ask her children in
piercing tones. " If you mean to serve the devil with
it, you had better let me know. One language is
quite enough fo?' him.'' And when tempting offers
came from rich friends to mjet the expenses of a
college training, time after time she put from her the
dazzling chance, and this at a period when the future
looked particularly dark, and there was no Salvation
Army to afford scope for the development of the
brilliant gifts with which she realised they were by
nature endowed.
In one of her published addresses* she refers to this
question as follows: "I cannot close these remarks
without lifting up my voice against the practice now
so prevalent amongst superior people, of sending
children to boarding-schools before their principles
are formed, or their characters developed. Parents
are led away by the professedly religious character
of the schools, forgetting that, even supposing the
master or mistress may be all that can be desired, a
school is a little ivorld, where all the elements of
* Practical Religion, p. 24.
SCHOOL LIFE. 35
unredeemed human nature are at work, and that 1841,
with as great variety, subtlety, and power as in the ^^ ^^'
larger world outside. You would shrink from ex-
posing your child to the temptation and danger of as-
sociation with unconverted, worldly men and xvojucn.
Why, then, should you expose them to the influence
of children of the same character, who are not un-
frequently sent to these schools because they have
become utterly vitiated and unmanageable at home?
I have listened to many a sad story of the consequen-
ces of these school associations, and early made up ^'''' own
1-11 1 experi-
my mind to keep my children under luy ozun influ- ence.
encL\ at least until they attained such maturity in
grace and principle, as would be an effectual safe-
guard against ungodly companionships. To this end
I have rejected several very inviting offers in the way
of educational advantage, and every day I am increas-
ingly thankful for having been enabled to do so.
God has laid on you, as parents, the responsibility of
training your children, and you cannot possibly dele-
gate that responsibility to another without endanger-
ing their highest interests for time and for eternity."
Nor can it be denied that Mrs. Booth's own sue- ^t^sT^'
cessful experiment in this direction has placed her in
a position to speak with authority on the subject. As
monuments of God's blessing on her disinterested and
self-sacrificing efforts, her family stand round her
and speak for her "in the gates."
Mrs. Booth's personal school-experience was an Asy/stem
unusually fortunate one. Her mother s influence fled in/
combined with her natural strength of character to "^^^^ ''^"'
guard her against the ill-consequences from which
she might otherwise have suffered. But even had it
been otherwise, she argued that the system could
not be justified by the existence of an occasional ex-
36
MUS. BOOTH.
1841,
Age 12,
But by its
general
effect.
God- made
families
and man-
made
schools.
Mrs.
Mumford
waives her
objec-
tions.
Cathe-
rine''s
character
at school.
ception, nor by the fact that some few might pass
through the ordeal unscathed.
It was to be judged by its general effect on persons
of ordinary moral calibre, who were incapable of re-
sisting the evil influences by which they found them-
selves surrounded, rather than by its influence on
characters of an unusual hardihood, who overcame
their unpropitious surroundings, but were certainly
not bettered by them. It has been said, in regard to
the social problem, that God made the country, man
made the town ; and it might be added, with equal
truth, that God made the family, man made the
school. And just as the remedy for the one evil is to
turn the current backward from town to country, so
Mrs. Booth was convinced that the wholesale juvenile
immigration should be resolutely stemmed and turned
from school to family.
Mrs. Mumford's views were by no means so decided
and vehement as were afterward those of her daughter.
Nevertheless, her leanings were all in the same di-
rection. Hence it was some time before she could
bring herself to send Catherine to school. It hap-
pened, however, that, amongst the members of the
chapel in Boston to which Mrs. Mumford belonged,
there was a lady of unusual devotion and ability.
Acquaintance quickly ripened into friendship, and at
length Mrs. Mumford was persuaded to overcome her
usual scruples, and to send her daughter to the school,
of which from all directions she received such favour-
able reports. Certainly the children were of a supe-
rior character. Not only was discipline observed,
but, what she valued infinitely more, many of the
girls gave evidence of genuine conversion.
Catherine was twelve years old when she began to
attend this school, and she continued her studies there
SCHOOL LIFE. 37
during the next two years. She soon established 1842,
such a character for truth, diligence, and ability, that ^^ ^^*
she was appointed to act as a monitor, and was
commonly appealed to for the real version of what
had happened during the occasional absences of the
principal and her assistants. Every one knew that
nothing could induce her to tell a falsehood, be the
consequences what they might.
Her sensitive nature and intense aversion to caus- Amrse to
ing pain made her reluctant to go above others in '^'^uon. *
class. She preferred rather to help 'them to surpass
herself, when her natural capacity and love of study
would have easily enabled her to take the lead. In
later years she was consistently opposed to the general
idea of competition, believing that it excited a selfish
and uncharitable spirit, and gave an undue priority to
ability over righteousness. Her bookish and retiring
disposition, together with the special favor manifested
by the principal, led to her being teased at times by
her schoolmates, and, though she was naturally good-
tempered, she would occasionally give way to violent
bursts of anger, for which she afterward manifested
the deepest contrition.
She had a keen realisation of the value of time,
and would spend her leisure hours in pacing up and
down a shady lane near her home poring over some
book.
History was one of her favorite studies. She ex- Her
perienced special pleasure in reading about those \istory.^
whose great deeds had served to benefit others.
Their moral character and achievements on behalf of
suffering humanity attracted her attention, rather
than their talents, wealth, or position. "Were they bonoh'
clever? What use then had they made of their
ability?" inquired the child-philosopher. "Was it
38 MRS. BOOTH.
1842, to aggrandise themselves, or to benefit others? Were
^^ ^ they rich? How did they spend their money? Was
it in idle pomp and self -gratification, or in extrava-
gance and luxury? If so, they were too despicable
to be admired. Their wealth perish with them, or
go to those who would expend it on the poor!"
Her esti- "Napolcon," she tells us, "I disliked with all my
mate of ,,^.
Naiioieon. heart, because he seemed to me the embodiment of
selfish ambition. I could discover no evidence that
he had attempted to confer any benefit upon his own
nation, much le«s on any of the countries he had con-
quered with his sword. Possibly this may have been
in some measure due to the prejudice of the English
historians whose works I studied, and who doubtless
strove to paint his character in the darkest colors.
Be this as it may, my dislike to him was not based on
any national antipathy, but on what I reckoned to be
the supremely selfish motives that actuated his life.
Com- " I could not but contrast him with Caesar, who,
ivith though by no means an attractive character, accord-
"^^ ■ ing to my notions, yet appeared desirous of benefit-
ting the people whom he conquered. His efforts for
their civilisation, together with the laws and public
works he introduced on their behalf, seemed to me
to palliate the merciless slaughter of his wars, and
the lo.ss of life and property that accompanied his
operations. He appeared to me to desire the good
of his country, and not merely his own aggrandise-
ment."
other Amongst other studies Catherine had, as might
have been expected, a special aptitude for composition.
Geography she liked, longing to be able to visit the
countries and nations about which she had read.
Arithmetic was her bugbear, but this she afterward
attributed to the senseless way in which it was taught,
SCHOOL LIFE. 39
since to her logical and mathematical mind figures 1843,
had afterward a considerable attraction. ^^ ^^'
In 1843, Catherine's school-days were brought a severe
abruptly to a close, by a severe spinal attack which '""^-^^
compelled her to spend most of her time in a recum- inter-
bent position, but even then her active nature would ^Zhllihig;
not permit her to rest, and her time was divided be-
tween sewing, knitting, and her beloved books.
No doubt there was a divine purpose in this illness,
for it was during the next few years of comparative
retirement from the ordinary activities of life, that
she acquired the extensive knowledge of church his- ^,j, ^j^^
tory and theology which proved so useful in later ^t^^dies
years, and for the prosecution of which her multitudi-
nous duties would otherwise have left her no time.
Her powerful mind fairly revelled in grappling
with the deepest theological problems, nor was she
satisfied with a mere superficial acquaintance with
her subject. The accompanying fac-simile of her
notes on "Butler's Analogy," written when she was a
girl of sixteen, will suffice to show how careful and
thorough was her study. Wesley, Finney, Fletcher,
Mosheim, and Neander were taken up in turn, and
in some cases carefully epitomised. Finney's lec-
tures on theology she specially appreciated.
"The Pilgrim's Progress," she tells us, "I had read Pilgrim's
J^ro(jr€SS
with great interest long before, but even at that time
I could not help entertaining a strong antipathy to the
Calvinistic tendency of some of its teachings."
"Another book which I carefully studied was New- news rr-
. T» 1 AC • 1-1 • • i/arding
ton on Prophecy. After notmg and vamly strivmg to prophecy.
reconcile the various interpretations, each supported
by quotation of chapter and verse, I can definitely re-
member deciding, that since so many learned and
able people differed regarding the matter, it would be
40
MRS. BOOTH.
1843,
Age 14.
Freed
from
scholas-
tic tram-
mels.
The
wilder-
ness of
suffering.
unwise for me to spend time and effort in striving to
come to any clearer conclusion. -I believed that I
could better please God by devoting my attention to
preparing people for Christ's coming, than by fixing
the date when it was to take place, and to this po-
sition I have ever since adhered."
It was perhaps a happy design of Providence that
suddenly liberated the girl student from her scholas
tic cage and left her master-mind unfettered to folio .v
the bent of its own instinct, instead of being forced
into the routine ruts which would undoubtedly have
been marked out for it by others.
How inscrutable are the ways of God ! Little did
the lonely sufferer think, as she lay upon her couch,
that this was her Heavenly Father's chosen training
ground. His college, of which He was Himself to be
the sole Principal and Professor, she the sole student.
Often was she tempted to repine at a lot so sad and
mysterious for one so young. Yet, to us who look
back, it is evident that this was the best, perhaps the
only preparation for such a life. There was no other
wilderness for the nineteenth-century prophetess, no
other Galilee of the Gentiles for the latter-day apostle,
where, apart from the old-fashioned dicta of priest
and Pharisee, the Holy Ghost could fashion His new
material suitably to the exigencies of the time. And
thus, that which appeared to be a terrible affliction
is discovered in the end to be a blessing in disguise,
and we are constrained to say:
"Sickness, thou ante-chamber
Of heaven — approach to God —
Ladder by which we clamber
From earth — Our Father's rod!
Welcome ! Since thou dost bring me
Sweet messengers of love,
Angelic songs to sing me
Fresh from my Home above.
CATHERINE MUMFORD.
(Friyni a Daguei'reotype taken shortly t>efore tier marriiuje.)
SCHOOL LIFE. 4t
'As when the winds are shaking 1843
The dead leaves from some tree, Age 14.
Fresh buds and flowers are making
More bright its greenery ;
So thou my soul art storming,
To make it holier still,
My wilfulness transforming,
Creating good from ill."
CHAPTER V.
YOUTH. 1 844- 1 847.
An early
incident.
A worldly
suitor.
The con-
troversy
Settled.
The Boston days closed in 1844 with an incident
very characteristic of Catherine. Previous to their
departure for London, Mr. and Mrs. Mumford were
visited by some cousins from Derby. One of them, a
young man of somewhat striking appearance, and
with more then ordinary capacity, was deeply attached
to Catherine. They had known each other from
childhood, and, although she was not the most ardent
of the two, she could not prevent her heart respond-
ing in some measure to his love.
But he was worldly and irreligious, and conscience
warned her that, however kind and genial he might
be, he would make no fit partner for her in life.
True, he would go with her to the chapel, but while
she v/as endeavouring to enter into the spirit of the
service, he would be scratching pictures on the pew
in order to divert her attention.
For some time there was a considerable controversy
in her mind. She felt she ought to break off all cor-
respondence, and tell her cousin plainly that she
could never make him the object of her affections.
On the other hand, she dreaded to give him pain, and
was open to the temptation that, when continually
under her influence, he might become in spiritual
matters all she could desire. Ultimately, however,
she took her stand upon the verse, " Be ye not un-
equally yoked together with unbelievers." And al-
42
YOUTH.
43
though, as she afterward said, " it cost me a consider-
able effort at the time, I have far from regretted the
step I then decided upon, and have lived to see that
the whole course of my life might have been altered,
had I chosen to follow the inclinations and fancies of
my own heart rather than the express command of
God, which so unmistakably reveals His will to us in
this matter."
And further she adds: "So much is lost at such
crises through vacillation, through not acting up to the
light as God gives it. A girl cannot easily talk about
these things. Perhaps there is no one suitable to
whom she can turn for advice, and so a false position
is drifted into, which too often culminates in an un-
happy marriage and a useless career."
In 1844 the Mumfords removed to London, settling
down finally in Brixton. This was Catherine's first
visit to the great metropolis, and she was considerably
disappointed at its appearance. Girl-like, she had
been castle-building in her imagination, picturing to
herself the sort of model city that this brick and mor-
tar colossus of the universe must be, with palatial
residences and mammoth edifices. To find it a pro-
miscuous mass of humanity sandwiched, so to speak,
between soot and mud, with countless acres of very
ordinary-looking dwellings, and interminable miles
of streets, very much resembling those to which she
had been accustomed in Boston, was an unexpected
termination to her dreams. She was, however,
deeply impressed with some of its principal sights,
such as vSt. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, and the Nat-
ional Gallery.
' But it was the seething cauldron of humanity
which more and more engrossed her attention as time
went on, leaving her but little leisure or inclination
1844,
Age 15.
Her auh-
sequent
vieivs.
Removal
to
London.
Her dis-
appoint-
ment.
Forty-six
years in a
nutshell.
44
MRS. BOOTH.
1844,
Age 15.
A car-
riage ac-
cident.
Presence
of
mind.
to consider any other subject than how to benefit their
condition and combat their miseries. With a few-
inconsiderable intervals London became, during the
next forty-six years, the principal scene of her activ-
ities. By dint of dauntless faith in God and weight
of worth, unaided by wealth or influence, the girl-
listener of Exeter Hall fought her way up to be one
of London's most popular and effective platform
speakers, crowding the largest buildings with her
audiences, and worthily closing her grand public
career with a meeting in its far-famed City Temple,
such as none who were present could ever forget.
Yet at the very commencement of this period, an
incident occurred, which reminds us on how slender
a thread the most valuable of lives may hang. Mr.
Mumford had driven his wife and children to visit a
friend living at a village some six miles distant. On
the way back the horse took fright and bolted. Mr.
Mumford held on to the reins w^th all his might, but
was unable to pull up. Catherine, who was in the
back seat, managed to scramble out, running back to
the village as fast as she could to obtain help. Look-
ing over her shoulder, the last glimpse she caught of
the scene was the horse rearing in mid-air with her
father hanging on to its head. After running a mile,
she became so exhausted that she fell fainting on the
sward by the roadside, but soon recovered herself
sufficiently to struggle on to the house of their recent
host. Without a moment's delay the pony was put
into their chaise, and Catherine was enabled to return
to the scene of the accident. Great was her relief to
find her father, mother, and brother unhurt. They
had run into a ditch, but had miraculously escaped
from injury, and were able to return home in safety,
praising God for their deliverance.
YOUTH.
45
To those who have read thus far in Mrs, Booth's
life it will probably cause no small surprise to learn
that it was not until she was sixteen that she believed
herself to have been truly converted. " About this
time," she tells us, "I passed through a great contro-
versy of soul. Although I was conscious of having
given myself up fully to God from my earliest years,
and although I was anxious to serve Him and often
realised deep enjoyment in prayer, nevertheless I had
not the positive assurance that my sins were forgiven,
and that I had experienced the actual change of heart
about which I had read and heard so much. I was
determined to leave the question no longer in doubt,
but to get it definitely settled, cost what it might.
For six weeks I prayed arid struggled on, but ob-
tained no satisfaction. True, my past life had been
outwardly blameless. Both in public and private I
had made use of the means of grace, and up to the
very limit of my strength, and often beyond the
bounds of discretion, my zeal had carried me. Still,
so far as this was concerned, I realised the truth of
the words:
' Could my zeal no respite know.
Could my tears forever flow —
These for sin could not atone. '
I knew, moreover, that ' the heart is deceitful above
all things and desperately wicked.' I was terribly
afraid of being self-deceived. I remembered, too,
the occasional outbursts of temper when I was at
school. Neither could I call to mind any particular
place or time when I had definitely stepped out upon
the promises, and had claimed the immediate forgive-
ness of my sins, receiving the witness of the Holy
Spirit that I had become a child of God and an heir of
heaven.
1845,
Age 16.
Her con-
version.
Six weeks
•under
convic-
tion.
4^ J//?^. BOOTH.
184s, " It seemed to me unreasonable to suppose that I
could be saved, and yet not know it. At any rate, I
could not permit myself to remain longer in doubt re-
.sKj-ance garding the matter. If in the past I had acted up to
" tion!^ the light I had received, it was evident that I was
now getting new light, and unless I obeyed it, I
realised that my soul would fall into condemnation.
Ah, how many hundreds have I since met, who have
spent vears in doubt and perplexity, because, after
consecrating themselves fully to God, they dared not
venture out upon the promises and believe!
A(jony of " I Can never forget the agony I passed through.
I used to pace my room till two o'clock in the morn-
ing, and when, utterly exhausted, I lay down at
length to sleep, I would place my Bible and hymn-
uook under my pillow, praying that I might wake up
with the assurance of salvation. One morning as I
opened my hymn-book, my eyes fell upon the words :
'My God, I am Thine!
What a comfort Divine, —
What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine!'
Scores of times I had read and sung these words, but
now they came home to my inmost soul with a force
and illumination they had never before possessed. It
impossi- was as impossible for me to doubt, as it had before
doubt, been for me to exercise faith. Previously not all the
promises in the Bible could induce me to believe,
now not all the devils in hell could persuade me to
doubt. I no longer hoped that I was saved, I was
gj^^ certain of it. The assurances of my salvation seemed
testifies, to flood and fill my soul. I jumped out of bed, and,
without waiting to dress, ran into my mother's room
and told her what had happened.
" Till then I had been very backward in speaking
YOUTH.
47
even to her upon spiritual matters. I could pray be-
fore her, and yet could not open my heart to her about
my salvation. It is a terrible disadvantage to people
that they are ashamed to speak freely to one another
upon so vital a subject. Owing- to this, thousands are
kept in bondage for years, when they might easily
step into immediate liberty and joy. I have myself
met hundreds of persons who have confessed to me
that they had been church members for many years
without knowing what a change of heart really was,
and without having been able to escape from this
miserable condition of doubt and uncertainty to one
of assurance and consequent satisfaction.
" For the next six months I was so happy that I
felt as if I was walking on air. I used to tremble,
and even long to die, lest I should backslide, or lose
the consciousness of God's smile and favour."
Catherine now joined the Wesleyan Church in
Brixton, of which her mother had for some time been
a member. So strict was her conscientiousness, and
so determined had she been not to play the part of a
hypocrite, that she would not give in her name pre-
viously to this, although she had been one of the
most regular attendants and earnest listeners.
The society had in London at this time some able and
eloquent preachers, such as Luke Tyerman, the well-
known author of the " Life of John Wesley. " And yet
while the sermons were often of a stirring and pointed
character, bringing the truths of the Gospel to bear
mightily upon the consciences of the people, they
were unaccompanied by the signs and wonders that
had marked the early days of Methodism. Moreover
the members were in a much more cold, worldly, and
backslidden condition than those at Boston.
Both Catherine and her mother were greatly dis-
1845,
Age 16.
Tltnii-
sduds iti
bundugc,
cuyeri-
ence.
Joins (he
Wesleij-
ans.
A cold
society.
Disop-
pointed.
48 MRS. BOOTH.
184s, appointed at this. They were jealous for the honour
^^ ^ ■ of their church, and longed for a return of its higher
spiritual life, of its separation from the world and
effort on behalf of souls. It was a constant source of
grief to them that so few were being saved. And yet
this was hardly to be wondered at, since there was
comparatively little attention or effort bestowed upon
the prayer-meeting which followed the sermon.
A spirit- " At this very time," she afterward tells us, " I can
^er meet-' remember often leaving the chapel burdened at heart
^^^' that more had not been accomplished of a practical
character. I could often see that a powerful impres-
sion had been made upon the people, that their con-
sciences had been awakened and their judgment en-
lightened. Many of them were evidently on the verge
of decision. And then at the critical moment, when
it seemed to me every power should have been sum-
Tnoned to help them, to act upon the light, and then
to give their hearts to God, the prayer-meeting was
either dispensed with altogether, or conducted in
such a pointless and half-hearted style that as a rule
the opportunity was lost, and the people streamed
out, leaving little or no visible results to chronicle.
Her views " J did SO long on such occasions for some means of
on faith- ^ . ^ ^
fui deal- getting at the congregation m a direct and personal
manner. I felt certain that the reason for much of
this lack of straight dealing on the part of ministers
sprang from a fear lest they should lose their repu-
tation and the friendship of their hearers. And yet I
could see that this was very short-sighted, even for
this world, to say nothing of the world to come. For
I was very sure then, and my subsequent experience
has fully borne it out, that by dealing faithfully Avith
souls, while they might have alienated some, they
would have won a far larger number of converts,
mg.
YOUTH.
49
whose love, sympathy, and devotion would have much 1846,
more than compensated for those they might have ^^ ^''
lost."
So deep and permanent was the impression produced Rer own
uvctcticc
upon Catherine in regard to this matter that in later m later
years, when she herself occupied the pulpit, she lost y^"-^^-
no opportunity for compelling her hearerS to an im-
mediate decision, and after delivering an address that
would occupy from one to two hours, and this with a
passionate energy which would bathe her in perspir-
ation from head to foot, she would step from the plat-
form, conduct her own prayer-meeting, and person-
ally deal with the long row of kneeling penitents,
attending to each one's individual circumstances,
character, and need. No matter how select or critical
the audience might be, in faithful dealing, courage,
and directness she was the same. Indeed, she seemed
scarcely able to restrain herself at times, while the
preliminaries were being gone through, perhaps by
too prolix a chairman, so impatient would she be for
the opportunity of pouring out upon her listeners the
lava-like truths which seemed pent up in her volcano
soul.
But the time for her public ministry had not come,
and Catherine had yet much to learn by personal ex-
perience. She now joined a Bible class which was
conducted by the wife of a supernumerary minister of
the circuit. This class she continued to attend for
the next five years. " Mrs. Keay used to insist upon
my praying," she tells us, "and would often keep the
class five minutes upon their knees waiting for me
to begin. When I told her one day that the excite-
ment and exertion had made me ill, she replied,
'Never mind! you will be of use by and by, if you
overcome this timidity, and employ your gifts. But
4
Joins a
class-
meeting.
50
MRS. BOOTH.
1846,
Age 17.
Wesley'' s
intention.
The insti-
tution
degener-
ated.
Mechan-
ical testi-
monies.
if you don't, you won't.' And yet I do not suppose
that she had for me in her mind a more extended
sphere of usefulness than that of praying and testify-
ing in class meetings, or at the most of leading one.
Certainly I had no higher ambition for myself."
The class meeting was designed by Wesley to sup-
ply to the members of each society individual over-
sight, together with an opportunity for mutual con-
fession and communion. Indeed, we might almost
describe it as the Protestant equivalent for the Roman
Catholic confessional. The class consisted of some
twenty or thirty persons, who met weekly under
the direction of a lay leader.
Mrs. Booth seems to have fully appreciated this
institution, although she expresses disappointment in
regard to the particular class of which she was a mem-
ber. "I can see," she remarks, "that if our leader
had been faithful to her duty and opportunities, most
of her class would either have been converted, or
would have left. As it was, the teaching they re-
ceived was quite compatible with lives of mere self-
indulgence. Their testimonies were mostly of a me-
chanical stamp, one after another getting up and
saying that they had met with great difficulties and
trials, but that they praised God for having brought
them through another week, without saying /low they
had come through, whether triumphantly or other-
wise. The exhortations of the leader were usually to
the effect that they were to look away from them-
selves to Christ, He being so presented in many in-
stances as to become a minister of sin, and the chief
design appearing to be to make them comfortable in
their souls, although they might be living just like
their neighbours."
"There can be no doubt," Mrs. Booth adds, "that
YOUTH. 5 1
the class meeting, as originally intended by Wesley, 1846,
was an excellent arrangement, but the mere asking ^^ ^^'
of empty questions as to how a person is getting on, How to
and the leaving them to answer by the platitudes ^'^^ciass- ^
usual on such occasions, is to daub them with untem- ""^^^"'S'-
pered mortar, and to lead them forth in the way of
hollow profession and uncertainty. Pointed questions some
should be put, such as: Have you enjoyed private questions.
prayer during the week? How far have you been
enabled to obey the precepts of Jesus Christ in dealing
with your family or your business? Have you main-
tained a conscience void of offence toward men as
well as toward God in these matters? Have you
faithfully made use of your opportunities for doing
good? How many have you spoken to about their
souls? Have you succeeded in leading anybody to
decision for salvation or consecration? Have you
practised any self-denial in order to extend the King-
dom of Christ?
"Such questions pressed home with the aid of the The lead-
Holy Spirit would compel confession, and involve a ^ome^uj)
repentance and reconsecration productive of real re- standard.
suits. But of course questions of this kind pre-
suppose that those who ask them are themselves liv-
ing up to the standard which they set before others,
and this, alas, is too often not the case!"
The leader of Catherine's class was an exception- -^»"s-
■"■ Booth^s
ally pious and devoted person. She had the oversight leader.
of three classes, was an active visitor, and took a
prominent part in all the work connected with the
chapel. Yet while she herself dressed with studied
plainness, her daughter was allowed to follow the
fashions of the world, and to become engaged with
her mother's approval to a young man who, though
belonging to a Methodist family, did not even profess
52 MRS. BOOTH.
1846, conversion. Catherine could not help feeling that
Age 17. ^j^ggg inconsistencies paralysed the power and contra-
dicted the teachings of her leader, and that, with such
an example before their eyes, little permanent good
could be accomplished among the members of the
class. For the " don't-do-as-I-do, but do-as-I-tell-you"
kind of religion, she entertained throughout life a
positive horror, and to find in her beloved Methodism
such symptoms of decay caused her the deepest sor-
row and concern. Nevertheless, sad though she
might feel, the thought of separation from its ranks
did not so much as suggest itself to her mind.
CHAPTER VI.
HER DIARY. 1 847-1 848.
Like too many of those, the record of whose inner Brief and
life would be both precious and instructive, Mrs. irrepiiiar
Booth did not keep a diary. She used afterward to
say, that she had been too busy inakiiigh.\sioYy to find
time in which to record it. This fact lends added
interest to the only fragment of a journal which
exists.
The entries are brief and irregular, dating from
12th May, 1847, to 24th March, 1848. Intended as
she tells us for her own eye alone, these early mus-
ings and heart-yearnings offer a valuable index to
her life and character.
The diary begins with her arrival in Brighton for a visit
a few weeks' change and rest. In the previous au- ^^^^Mon.
tumn serious symptoms of incipient consumption had
set in, and for six months she was almost entirely
confined to her room with violent pains in the chest and
back, accompanied with strong fever at night. With
the departing winter, however, her worst symptoms
subsided, and she was sufficiently recovered to travel,
though still very weak. " Mr. Stevens, my new doc-
tor," she writes, "came to see me on Tuesday last.
He is a very nice man, and a preacher in our society.
He sounded my chest, and thinks my left lung is
affected, but says there is no cavity in it, and hopes
to do me good. I hope, if it is for my God and His
53
54 MJiS. BOOTH.
1847, glory, the Lord will give His blessing to the means
Age 18.
we are using.
Ill but The seriousness and severity of her illness may,
peaceful. ^Qwever, be judged from another entry in which,
under date 13th June, 1847, she writes: "I went to
chapel in the morning, but felt very poorly with
faintness and palpitation, so that I spent the after-
noon in bed in reading and contemplation. At even-
ing I went again and stopped to receive the sac-
rament, but was so ill I could scarcely walk up to the
communion rail, and was forced to hold it to keep
myself from sinking. Mr. Heady, the minister, saw
I was ill, and held the cup for me. I afterward came
home, supported between Mr. Wells and another
gentleman. The pain was so violent I had to keep
stopping in the street. The cold sweat stood on my
forehead. But amidst all the pain and confusion
there was calm, peace, and joy."
Tortured on another occasion with toothache, she
called in at a dentist's, "but he feared I was too weak
to undergo the operation. He said my pulse was as
slow as an infant's, and the shock might be too much
for me."
Yearn- ^^^ diary is full of intense yearnings after God and
ings after struggles to attain perfect holiness of life.
"14th May, 1847. — This morning, while reading
Rowe's Devout Exercises of the Heart, I was much
blessed, and enabled to give myself afresh into the
hands of God, to do, or to suffer, all His will. Oh,
that I may be made useful in this family! Lord, they
know Thee not, neither do they seek Thee! Have
mercy upon them, and help me to set an example, at
all times and in all places, worthy of imitation. Help
me to adorn the Gospel of God, my Saviour, in all
things.
HER DIARY. 55
" I find much need of watchfulness and prayer, and 1847,
1 • -■ . 1 ... Age 18.
have this day taken up my cross m reprovmg sm.
Lord, follow with the conviction of Thy spirit all I Eebuking
have said."
stn.
"I entered into fresh covenant this morning with Afresh
my Lord to be more fully given up to Him. Oh, to
be a Christian indeed! To love Thee with all my
heart is my desire. I do love Thee, but I want to
love Thee more. If Thou smile upon me, I am in-
finitely happy, though deprived of earthly happiness
more than usual. If Thou frown, it matters not
what I have beside.
'Thou art the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days
And comfort of my nights. '
On reaching Brighton, Catherine received from her Her
mother the following letter, which throws an inter- ^\tter.
esting light on the close spiritual communion that
existed between mother and daughter. After refer-
ring to her own and Catherine's health, Mrs. Mum-
ford says :
" Oh, may the Lord help me to hang on His faithfulness
alone, and when all seems gloomy without, 'still to endure as
seeing Him who is invisible.' The enemy tempts me to
doubt, because I do noifeel as I did before. But I say to my-
self: ' Thou kno west
'Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee!'
May He help me to believe for a clearer manifestation of
His love and favour!
'I would not my soul deceive,
Without the inward witness live ! '
" I am glad you are getting on so well. Live close to Jesus
56
MRS. BOOTH.
1847,
Age 18.
Mrs.
Booth's
earliest
extant let-
ter.
Influenc-
ing
other's.
and He will keep you to the end. Oh, may He bless you with
all His fulness ! You say I must pray for you I Do you think
I could approach the Throne of Grace without doing so? Oh,
no ! You are ever in my mind as an offering to the Lord.
May He sanctify you wholly to Himself is the prayer of
" Your ever-loving mother,
" Sarah Mumford."
To this letter Catherine sent the following reply,
which is the earliest extant autograph letter that
exists :
" My Dearest Mother : — I thank you very sincerely for your
kind, nice, long letter, and especially as I know what an effort
it is for you to write. [Mrs. Mumford's hand was crippled
with rheumatism.] Don't fear for a moment that I should
think you indifferent to my comfort. How could I possibly
think it, with so many proofs to the contrary? If I ever in-
dulged any hard thoughts, it has been my sin, for which I
need the forgiveness of God : it has been prompted by the
same spirit which has too often led me to 'charge God fool-
ishly. ' But so far from this feeling being the offspring of my
calmer moments and better judgment, it is only the effects of
an evil heart of unbelief, an impetuous will, and a momentary
loss of common sense, for I know and frmly believe that God
will do all things well. Let us trust in Him.
" I thank you for your very kind and seasonable advice. I
do pray and read the Scriptures with Maria, and she prayed
aloud the other day, \hQ first tiviesho. has ever done so in any-
body's presence. I hope the work is begun; if not I tremble
for her. But charity hopeth all things — believeth all things.
I have had a deal of talk to her about election and Christian
perfection, the last of which she would not admit to be possi-
ble. I never felt clearer light on these points than now. Oh,
the depth of the riches and the wisdom of God !
" If I am able I shall go next Sunday to class in the after-
noon, and Maria is going with me to see what a class-meeting
is like. Her church holds Calvinistic doctrines. I went to
her chapel once, but could not receive all I heard, though I
believe the minister was a true Christian. I am sorry she
has received these opinions, and am endeavouring by simple
Scripture, which is the best weapon, to show her the true ex-
HER DIARY.
57
tent of the blessed Atonement. She says I have thrown much
light upon her mind, and she desires to be led into all truth. If
so, the Spirit will guide her. May it be so. Amen ! "
In a subsequent letter she says:
" I have just returned from the beach. It is a lovely morn-
ing, but very rough and cold. The sea looks sublime. I
never saw it so troubled. Its waters " cast up mire and dirt,"
and lash the shore with great violence. The sun shines with
full splendour, which makes the scene truly enchanting. It
only wants good health and plenty of strength to walk about
and keep oneself warm, for it is too cold to sit. There is a
meeting of the Evangelical Alliance in the Town Hall this
evening. If I feel able, I think of going, but I shall not stop
late. I am indignant at the Conference for their base treat-
ment of Mr. Burnett. But I quite expected it, when he gave
a conscientious affidavit in Mr. Hardy's case. Well, it will
all come down on their own pates. The Lord will reward
them according to their doings, if they only persevere a little
longer. Reform is certain.
" I wish I could see you, though I should be sorry to come
home just yet. The change is most agreeable to my feelings.
It is like a new world to me. I was heartily sick of looking at
brick and mortar. Oh, I love the sublime in nature ! It ab-
sorbs my whole soul. I cannot resist it, nor do I envy those
who can. There is nothing on earth more pleasing and pro-
fitable to me than the meditations and emotions excited by
such scenes as I witness here. I only want those I love best
to participate my joys, and then they would be complete.
For though I possess a share of that monstrous ugly thing
called selfishness in common with our fallen race, yet I ean say
my own pleasure is always enhanced by the pleasure of others,
and always embittered by their sorrows. Thanks be to God,
for it is by His grace that I am what I am. Oh, for that ft:l-
ness of love which destroys self and fills the soul with Heaven-
born generosity !
" Brighton is very full of company. Many a poor invalid is
here strolling about in search of that pearl of great price —
health. Some, like the fortunate diver, spy the precious gem,
and, hugging it to their bosoms, return, rejoicing in the pos-
session of real riches. But many, alas, find it not, and return
only to bewail their misfortune. Whichever class I may be
1847,
Age 18.
Her love
of nature.
A pleas-
ant
change.
Health-
seekers.
58 MRS. BOOTH.
1847, amongst, I hope I shall not have cause to regret my visit. If I
Age 18. fln(j j^Q^ health of body, I hope my soul will be strengthened
with might, so that if the outward form should decay, the
inward may be renewed day by day.
The " I should like to spend another week or two here. It would
needful, ^g delightful. One only wants the needful, and there seems
to be plenty of it in Brighton, though I don't happen on it!
There are bills in all directions announcing the loss of gold
watches, seals, keys, brooches, boas, etc., and offering rewards
according to the value of the article, but, alas, I have not
been fortunate enough to find a mite yet !
Thp Exhi- " I will write again on Monday, so that you may get it be-
hitwn. fQj-e you go to the Exhibition. Oh, I should like to see it
again so much. It seems a pity for such magnificence to be
disturbed. I hope the closing ceremony will be worthy of
its history.
" There is one thing I trust will not be forgotten, that is, to
give God thanks for having so singularly disappointed our
enemies and surpassed the expectations of our friends. This
unparalleled production of art and science was born in good-
will, has lived in universal popularity, and will, no doubt, ex-
pire with majestic grandeur, lamented by all the nations of
the earth.
" Pray for me, my dear mother, and believe me with all my
faults and besetments—
" Your affectionate and loving child,
" Catherine."
Praying There IS a touching- passage in the diary with
for her reference to her father :
father.
"I was much blessed in the morning at private
prayer, particularly in commending my dear parents
into the hands of God. I sometimes get into an
agony of feeling while praying for my dear father.
O my Lord, answer prayer, and bring him back to
Thyself! Never let that tongue, which once de-
lighted in praising Thee, and in showing others Thy
willingness to save, be engaged in uttering the lamen-
tations of the lost! O awful thought! Lord, have
HER DIARY. 59
mercy! Save, oli, save him, in any way Thou seest 1847,
best, though it be ever so painful. If by removing ^^ ^
me Thou canst do this, cut short Thy work and take
me home. Let me be bold to speak in Thy name.
Oh, give me true Christian courage and lively zeal,
and when I write to him from this place, bless what
I say to the good of his soul!"
In a later entry she adds :
" I received a letter from my dear father, which
did me good telling me of some resolutions he had
half formed. I have written a long letter to him, and
feel much blessed in so doing. I believe I had the
assistance of the Spirit."
A good deal of Catherine's time was spent in writ- Personal
ing spiritual letters to her friends and relations, and '^"' '"^•
she found greater freedom in doing so than in the
hand-to-hand, personal conflict in which she became
afterward so successful.
"I have this day seen a lady," continues the diary,
" to whom I wrote a faithful and warning letter. I
wonder if it made any impression on her. . . . My
dear cousin Ann was here yesterday. I tried to im-
press upon her the importance of giving her heart to
God in her youth. But I feel myself most at liberty ^^^^ ^.^_
in writing. She promised to write and tell me the erti/jn
^ ^ ivnfmg.
state of her mind. Then I shall answer her. Oh,
may the Lord bless my humble endeavours for His
glory ! . . . One of my dear cousins is very ill ; I
think in a deep decline. She has three little children.
But the Lord graciously supports her, and often fills
her with His love. I frequently write long letters to
her on spiritual subjects, and the Lord owns my weak
endeavours by blessing them to her good."
The record of her first experiences in visiting the visiting
sick is extremely interesting. "^^ ^^''^-
6o
MRS. BOOTH.
1847,
Age 18,
Praying
in class.
Love for
her
mother.
A painful
incident.
" This has been a blessed day to my soul. In the
morning I had much liberty in prayer. This afternoon
for the first time in my life I visited the sick, and
endeavoured to lead one poor young girl to Jesus. I
think, if spared, this will be a duty I shall greatly de-
light in. But Thy will, O Lord, be done! I have not
been blessed so much for weeks as I was to-night at
the class I engaged in prayer. The cross was great,
but so was the reward. My heart beat violently, but
I felt some liberty. Oh, how sweet is Christian com-
munion ! Hail, happy day, when we shall meet to
part no more around the Throne!"
Although her absence from home was for so short a
time, there are some tender references to her mother :
" Home is particularly sweet to me. Who can tell
the value of a mother's attention and care, until de-
prived of it? But, blessed be God, we shall soon meet
again, and after all our meetings and partings here
on earth, we shall meet to part no more in glory. . . .
My mind has been wounded to-day by several little
occurrences, and to-night my feelings vented them-
selves in tears. Oh, how I long to get home to my
dearest mother ! I feel greatly the loss of some kin-
dred spirit, some true bosom friend. My mind is re-
joiced at the thought of going home."
After her return to London, the journal refers to
the following striking but painful incident :
" Since last week we have been deeply moved by
circumstances of a very affecting nature. My dear
cousin has been here at times lately. She was ex-
pecting to be married next Thursday, and I was think-
ing of going down to Southampton with them.
They had a house prepared for their reception ; but
alas, how soon is the cup of happiness dashed from
our hands, and how quickly do our dreams vanish !
HER DIARY.
6i
The young man was taken suddenly ill on the Friday
and died on the Tuesday morning. Blessed be God !
he died in peace, and I doubt not is now in Heaven.
He is to be buried on Thursday next, his intended
wedding day! Oh, that I may be found watching,
when my Lord shall come!"
On the 28th of November she writes: "This has
been an especially good day to my soul. I have been
reading the life of Mr. William Carvosso. Oh, what
a man of faith and prayer was he ! My expectations
were raised when I began the book. I prayed for the
Divine blessing on it, and it has been granted. My
desires after holiness have been much increased.
This day I have sometimes seemed on the verge of
the good land. Oh, for mighty faith! I believe the
Lord is willing and able to save me to the uttermost.
I believe the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all
sin. And yet there seems something in the way to
prevent me from fully entering in. But to-day I be-
lieve at times I have had tastes of perfect love. Oh,
that these may be droppings before an overwhelming
shower of grace. My chief desire is holiness of
heart. This is the prevailing cry of my soul. To-
night 'sanctify me through Thy truth — Thy word is
truth!' Lord, answer my Redeemer's prayer. I
see this full salvation is highly necessary in order for
me to glorify my God below and find my way to
heaven. For 'without holiness no man shall see the
Lord!' My soul is at times very happy. I have felt
many assurances of pardoning mercy. But I want a
clean Jicart. Oh, my Lord, take me and seal me to
the day of redemption."
Again she writes:
"This has been a good day to my soul. This
morning I felt very happy, and held sweet commun-
1847,
Age 1 8.
Seekinf)
holiness.
Tastes of
perfect
love.
Happy!
62 MRS. BOOTH.
1848, ion with my God. I feel very poorly, and excessively
^^ ^^' low, but I find great relief in pouring out my soul to
God in prayer. Oh, I should like to leave this world
of sin and sorrow, and go where I could not grieve
my Lord again!"
At the beginning of the New Year ( 1 848) she has the
following entry:
"I have been writing a few daily rules for the com-
ing year, which I hope will prove a blessing to me by
the grace of God. I have got a printed paper of rules
also, which I intend to read once a week. May the
Lord help me to adhere to them. But, above all, I
Searching ^^ determined to search the Scriptures more atten-
^^tufZ^^' tiv^^Y' ^o^ i^ them I have eternal life. I have read
my Bible through twice during the last sixteen
months, but I must read it with more prayer for light
and understanding. Oh, may it be my meat and
drink ! May I meditate on it day and night ! And
then I shall 'bring forth fruit in season, my leaf also
shall not wither, and whatsoever I do shall prosper. ' "
A few days later we have an interesting glimpse
behind the scenes:
Sgif_ " I have renewed my practice of abstaining from
denying, (jinncr on a Friday, and from butter in the morning.
I had discontinued this for some time. O my Lord,
help me to be more fully decided in all things, and
not to confer with flesh and blood, but to be bold to
take up and firm to sustain the consecrated cross."
On the 17th January, 1848, she writes:
Her nine- " Nineteen years to-day I have lived in this world
birthday, of sin and sorrow. But oh, I have had many sweets
mingled with the bitter. I have very much to praise
my God for, more than I can conceive. May I for the
future live to praise Him, and to bring glory to His
name. Amen."
CHAPTER VII.
THE REFORMERS. 1829-1852.
It was at this period that a great agitation arose in ^.^g ^^
the Wesleyan community, leading ultimately to the -^^^"^ '^"^'
J ^ ' to J troversy.
withdrawal or expulsion of about one hundred thous-
and of its members. Miss Mumford became inter-
ested in the controversy, and, since her action in
regard to the matter affected the whole of her subse-
quent career, it will be necessary to explain briefly
its origin and history.
The Wesleyan Methodist Society was founded by The Wes-
John Wesley in 1739. Five years later he held his ^sSioT.'
first conference of preachers. But it was not until
1783 that he drew up his Deed Poll, establishing an
annual conference, which consisted of one hundred
ministers, now known as the "Legal Hundred." The The Legal
members were appointed for life, the gaps caused by
death being annually filled up by the votes of the
conference. To this body Wesley delegated the au- Wesleyan
■^ ^ o autocrat.
tocratic powers which, during his lifetime, he had
reserved in his own hands. The democratic element The dem-
ocratic
had, however, after Wesley's death, gradually gained element.
strength, claiming for itself a voice in the Connex-
ional government, and in the administration of its
revenues. How far the governmental question was
used as a catch-cry by a dissatisfied minority of the ^Vas u a
ministers who hoped, upon the shoulders of the peo- cryf
pie, to climb into office and dispossess the party then
63
64 MRS. BOOTH.
1847, in power, it is not for us to say. It is certain, how-
^^^ ^^' ever, that it gave rise to several agitations, in the
course of which the secessions occurred which led to
Origin of the establishment of the younger branches of Meth-
formers. odistti. The most serious of these disputes com-
menced in 1844, with the publication of an anony-
The Fly mous pamphlet entitled " Fly Sheets from the Private
Sheets, coi-i-espondent," purporting to be issued "by order
of the Corresponding Committee for detecting, expos-
ing and correcting abuses." Wholesale charges of
maladministration were levelled against leading mem-
bers of the Connexion, and sweeping reforms were
advocated by the writer, in terms which were calcu-
lated to embitter the existing controversy. In 1846
the second number of the Fly Sheets appeared, and
in the three following years the third, fourth, and fifth
were published.
The men The Annual Conference of 1 847 decided that meas-
ures should be taken for the discovery and punishment
of "the men in masks," who were the writers of
these pamphlets, since it was manifest that the mat-
ter could no longer be ignored, being calculated to
exercise a mischievous influence, subversive of confi-
dence and discipline. The authors of the Fly Sheets
were known to be ministers ; it was therefore resolved
^ ^, that each minister in the Connexion should be re-
Thc Con-
ference quired to givc a definite "Yes" or "No" answer, as
asserts its . - . ,
author- to whether he had been m any way concerned m the
publication. The objection raised against such a pro-
ceeding, as unusual, unjustifiable, and inquisitorial in
its character, was over-ruled, and a declaration, re-
pudiating any connexion with the authorship of the
pamphlets, was drawn up for signature.
The Seventy ministers refused to sign this document.
brotherly -^ ^
question. Of these, however, some forty gave an implied denial. '
THE REFORMERS. 65
With regard to the others it was decided that those 1847,
who might be suspected should be called to appear ^^ ^ '
before the Conference, when a "brotherly question"
should be put to them by the president, and that, in
case of their refusal to answer, they should be dealt
with for contumacy. The result of this course of
action was that, in 1849, three of the ministers, who
were looked upon as the leaders in the agitation, were
expelled from the society, while others, who had more
or less supported or sympathised with them, were
reprimanded.
But this firm attitude on the part of the Conference, The con-
instead of putting an end to the controversy, only Iprl^ds.
served to add fresh fuel to the flames, and converted
what had hitherto been to a large extent a ministerial
squabble into a widespread conflict, which convulsed
the entire denomination. The aggrieved party had
anticipated the probable result of its uncompromising
attitude, and had prepared itself for a prolonged
struggle by the issue of journals and pamphlets which
would advocate its policy of reform and ventilate its
grievances. The most important of these was TAe
Weslcyan Times, a weekly newspaper, of which the The Wes-
• 1 1 1 T leyan
first number was issued on the 8th January, 1849. Times.
It purported to be a liberal and independent organ,
bound to no particular party, but representing the
true interests of the Wesleyan body. As a matter of
fact, it became the medium of the agitators who were
subsequently known as the Reformers, while the
Watchman was the mouthpiece of the conservatives. waXch-
Certainly the acrimonious spirit which the con- '^""■•
fiict assumed reflected little credit on either the
one side or the other. The " Fly Sheets" were marked
by a personality and animosity which it would have teredfeel-
been all but impossible to tolerate within the ranks of ^^^^'
5
66 ' MRS. BOOTH.
1849, any well-ordered organisation, and which were sadly
Age 20. antagonistic to the spirit of Christianity.
On the other hand, the orthodox party would have
done well to exercise greater patience and self-con-
trol. A few timely concessions, a resolute determi-
nation not to return railing for railing, and an exer-
cise of persistent love toward the malcontents and
their numerous friends would no doubt have saved
the Connexion from many of its heaviest losses. At
any rate, it would have been the soundest and most con-
vincing proof that the charges heaped upon the Con-
ference by its enemies were base and foundationless
calumnies, and that its leaders were still, what they
professed to be, the true representatives of John
Wesley's teachings, the veritable and worthy succes-
sors of their venerable apostle. Had such a course
^ loss^^'^^ been pursued, there is little doubt that they would at
least have happily retained within their pale two de-
voted members, who were destined, perhaps, to be the
most prominent figures in the religious history of the
nineteenth century. Unfortunately the disputants on
either side allowed themselves to be betrayed into
language which can scarcely be justified, however
righteous the cause it was intended to defend.
Some It cannot be denied, on the one hand, that the Re-
com- formers had some reason for complaint. The conduct
ij ain . ^£ ^^^ Conference had in several instances been
arbitrary and high-handed. The utmost stretch of
charity could hardly invent any justifiable motive for
The ban- their suddcu banishment of the remarkable American
of Can- evangelist Caughey, and this at a time when he was
in the very zenith of his success. He was a Methodist
minister, and his doctrines agreed in every particular
with those of the Conference. Crowds flocked to his
meetings from all the country-side, thousands of
(jhey.
THE REFORMERS. 6y
souls sought salvation, and the revival was at its flood- 1850,
tide, when the Conference compelled his withdrawal, ^^
causing wide-spread discontent among multitudes of
the most loyal ministers and members of the Connex-
ion, and exposing themselves to charges of envy and
jealousy to which it was very difficult to reply.
Nevertheless, the Reformers put themselves in the injurious
wrong by resorting to personalities and invectives i^es.
which no amount of provocation could palliate or ex-
cuse. Nor is it probable that the remedies which they
proposed would have served to eradicate the evils of
which they complained. In all likelihood they would
but have substituted another class of difficulties for
those which they were seeking to combat. Indeed it
is open to question whether an opposite policy might
not have been the best.
It cannot be doubted by any student of Methodist Wesley's
, r despot-
history that Wesley s own government was far more mn.
despotic than that of the "Legal Hundred." But
the conviction that he was actuated by the purest
motives, and supremely fitted for his post, enabled
him to hold the reins of his paternal monarchy with a
firm yet elastic hand, his authority unquestioned, and
his person to the last beloved. Had he, like Moses, should u
delegated his authority to some Joshua, or like Elijah '^^co^i-^''^^
dropped his falling mantle upon some Elisha, and had ^"^^'^^'-^
these in turn chosen similar successors, it is possible
that the interests of the Connexion would have been
better safeguarded, and its spirituality preserved,
than by the institution of the "Legal Hundred." On
this, opinions are certain to differ.
To substitute the rule of the sheep for that of the The rule
shepherds has, it is true, some obvious advantages. %eep^.
But whether the counterbalancing dangers and draw-
backs are not of a still more serious character was and
68
MRS. BOOTH.
1851,
Age 22.
Miss
Muni-
foriVs
views.
Longing
for a re-
vival.
The po-
pish test.
Hetalin-
tory
measures
Thou-
sands ex-
pelled.
must be still open to grave controversy. Miss Mum-
ford's intense sympathy wth the people led her to re-
gard the controversy with more than ordinary interest.
Her views of church government .subsequently under-
went a great change, but at the time of which we
write, although so staunch a Wesleyan she strongly
favoured the Congregational system.
She longed, moreover, to see a revival of old-time
Methodism with its deep spirituality and intense pas-
sion for souls. Hence she hailed the Reform move-
ment as the harbinger of a happier era when her
church should be restored to its first love, the souls of
the people revived, and the spirit of its founders should
reinspire both rank and file with the zeal and unction
which had constituted their attraction and power in
days of yore.
Miss Mumford studied with deep interest the re-
ports of the agitation, sitting up often till the small
hours of the night reading to her mother the accounts
of the so-called "popish test," and the expulsion of
the ministers. Her indignation was excited by what
she looked upon as the arbitrary action of the Con-
ference. She attended several of the meetings held
in London by the Reformers, the most important of
these being one in Exeter Hall at which addresses
were delivered by the expelled ministers and resolu-
tions adopted approving their attitude, and instituting
a committee to further the interests of the agitation.
As might be expected, the Conference responded to
the action of the Reformers by retaliatory measures.
Thousands of their sympathisers were expelled from
the ranks, whilst those who remained were required
to abstain from attending their gatherings. A clear,
sharp line was drawn, and those who persisted in cross-
ing it were visited with the penalties of interdiction.
THE REFORMERS. 69
The outspoken manner in which she had expressed 1851,
her condemnation of the Conference and sympathy ^^ ^^'
with the Reformers was naturally objected to by her uer ciass-
class-leader, who remonstrated with her on the folly ^^^rmjes^'
of her course, reminding her that in identifying her- Mum-
self with the malcontents she would not only forfeit •^"''■^•
her position in the church she loved, but seriously in-
jure her worldly prospects. Such considerations,
however, carried little weight with the high-spirited
girl.
The prospect was indeed a painful one. She still a painful
prospect.
loved Methodism with all her heart. But there was
something that she loved still better, her conception
of what was right. To her duty was duty, however
disagreeable it might be. Not a hair's-breadth would
she swerve from what she believed to be the cause of
righteousness. She never paused to consider whether
she would be in a minority. '"'■ Fiat justitia, mat cae-
lum'— let justice be done, though the skies fall — was
the principle on which she acted throughout life. -^^^^
And on the present occasion she could not consent J^v.m.-
'■ J or a ex-
to withhold her sympathy and countenance from the peiied.
cause of those who appeared to have been wronged.
Finding arguments of no avail, her class-leader re-
luctantly decided to withhold Miss Mumford's ticket
of membership.
It is customary in the Wesleyan body to grant to hoiv u
each member a ticket, which is renewed from quarter "'""^
to quarter. A periodical revision of the rolls by the
office-bearers of each society is thus insured, the non-
renewal of the ticket being tantamount to expulsion.
From the decision of the superintending minister and
his staff there is practically no appeal. It was thus
that Miss Mumford found herself expelled from the
Wesleyan Church.
70 MRS. BOOTH.
1852, "This was one of the first great troubles of my
^^^^' life," says Mrs. Booth, "and cost me the keenest
Her first anguish. I was young. I had been nursed and
troxMe. Cradled in Methodism, and loved it with a love which
has gone altogether out of fashion among Protestants
for their church. At the same time I was dissatis-
fied with the formality, worldliness, and defection
from what I conceived Methodism ought to be, judg-
ing from its early literature and biographies as well
as from Wesley's own writings and his brother's
hymns. I believed that through the agitation some-
thing would arise which would be better, holier, and
more thorough. Here were men who, in my simplic-
ity, I supposed wanted to bring back the fervour and
aggressiveness of by-gone days. In this hope and in
sympathy with the wrongs that I believed the Re-
formers had suffered, I drifted away from the Wes-
leyan Church, apparently at the sacrifice of all that
was dearest to me, and of nearly every personal
friend."
She takes It SO happened that the Reformers had commenced
a class 11-1 .
among to hold mcctmgs lu a hall near Miss Mumford's home.
formers. She was offered and accepted the senior class in the
Sunday-school, consisting of some fifteen girls, whose
ages ranged from twelve to nineteen.
For the next three years she threw her whole heart
into this effort, preparing her lessons with great care,
devoting at least two half-days every week to this
purpose, and striving to bring every lesson to a prac-
tical result. When the rest of the school had been
the 'key. dismisscd she would beg the key from the superin-
tendent, and hold a prayer-meeting with her girls.
This resulted in the conversion of several, one of
Wonder ^^°"^ ^^^^ triumphantly.
M times. " I used to have some wonderful times with my
THE REFORMERS. 71
class," she tells us. "I made them pray, and I am 1852,
sure that anybody coming into one of these meetings ^^ ^^'
would have seen very much what a Salvation Army
consecration meeting is now. They usually all
stopped, and sometimes our prayer-meetings would
last an hour and a half. Often I went on till I lost ^ ^osinq
her voice.
my voice, not regaining it for a day or two after. I
used to invite them to talk to me privately if anything
I said had struck them, and at such times they would
pour out their hearts to me, as if I had been their
mother.
"However, I was a great deal disappointed with Dis-
the Reformers. I had hoped that we were upon the Tvith^hf
eve of a great spiritual revival. Instead of this every- ^''{°/J^'
thing was conducted very much in the ordinary style,
and I soon became heartily sick of the spirit of de-
bate and controversy which prevailed to such a de-
gree as to cripple the life and power of the concern."
CHAPTER VIII.
WILLIAM BOOTH. 1829-1852.
The Gen-
eral's
birth-
place.
His
mother.
His
father.
His con-
version.
He joins
the Wes-
leyans.
A zealous
band.
William Booth was born in Nottingham on the
loth April, 1829. His mother was of so amiable a dis-
position and saintly a character that he regarded her
as the nearest approach to human perfection with
which he was acquainted. His father, an able and
energetic man of business, attained a position of
affluence, but subsequently suffered a reverse of for-
tune, and died prematurely, leaving his family to
struggle with adverse circumstances. William, the
sole surviving son, was apprenticed at an early age to
a firm, where it soon became manifest that he had in-
herited a double portion of his father's enterprise and
commercial skill.
Reared in the Church of England, he knew nothing
of conversion, until, happening to stray into a Wes-
leyan chapel, his attention was arrested by the nov-
elty and simplicity of the services. For some time he
continued to attend. The truths, tersely and power-
fully expounded, took an increasing hold of his mind,
and on one memorable evening, after days and nights
of anxious seeking he publicly and unreservedly gave
his heart to God. With his mother's consent, he
became immediately a member of the chapel, and,
though but a lad of fifteen, he gave proof in manifold
measure of the reality of his conversion.
Connected with the chapel was a band of zealous
young men with whom he associated, and whose
72
WILLIAM BOOTH. 73
recognised leader he soon became. With one of 1844,
these, William Sansom, he was specially intimate, and ^^
when, a little later, this colleague ruptured a blood- Deuiu <,/
vessel in a prayer-meeting and died, Mr. Booth ar- friend.
ranged a special funeral service, closely resembling
those subsequently held in the Salvation Army.
During these early days he was as indefatigable a a hard
. -, TT . . -, 1 • worker.
worker as m later years. Unable to leave busmess
until eight o'clock, he would hurry away each evening
to hold cottage meetings, which usually lasted till
ten, and which were often succeeded by calls to visit
the sick and dying.
Open-air services were constantly held in connec- a bom
• 1 1 • 1 ■ 11 Salva-
tion with these meetings, and processions were led tionist.
down the Goosegate and other thoroughfares, bring-
ing to the chapel such a tatterdermalion crowd as
soon gave rise to a request from the minister that the the back-
intruders should be conducted to the back entrance
and seated in the hinder part of the building, where
their presence would be less conspicuous and dis-
agreeable to the more respectable members of the
congregation.
However, without allowing himself to be discour- ToUing
aged by such rebuffs, Mr. Booth and his little band
toiled on, happy in each other's companionship, and
in the success with which their labours were crowned.
On the Sunday he would often walk long distances
into the country to fulfil some village appointment,
stumbling his way home late at night, alone and
weary, through dark muddy lanes, cheering himself
along by humming the prayer-meeting refrains which
during the day had gladdened the hearts of returning
sinners. When only seventeen he was promoted to 4 i^^^j
be a local preacher, and two years later his superintend- -f/^'^^/p^/!
ent, the Rev. Samuel Dunn, urged him to offer him- '^<'"-
n
MRS. BOOTH.
1849,
Age 20.
Called to
the min-
istry at
nineteen.
Wor-
shipped
Method-
ism.
Cared
little for
creeds.
Removes
to
London.
self for the ministry. "I objected," he tells us, "on
the grounds of my health and youth." With regard
to the former, Mr. Dunn sent me to his doctor, who
after examination pronounced me totally unfit for the
strain of a Methodist preacher's life, assuring me that
twelve months of it would land me in the grave, and
send me to the throne of God to receive punishment
for suicide. I implored him not to give any such
opinion to Mr, Dunn, as my whole heart was set on
ultimately becoming a minister. He therefore prom-
ised to report in favour of the question being de-
layed for twelve months, and to this Mr. Dunn event-
ually agreed."
Referring to this time, Mr. Booth says: "I wor-
shipped everything that bore the name of Methodist.
To me there was one God, and John Wesley was his
prophet. I had devoured the story of his life. No
human compositions seemed to me to be comparable
to his writings, and to the hymns of his brother
Charles, and all that was wanted, in my estimation, for
the salvation of the world was the faithful carrying
into practice of the letter and spirit of his instruc-
tions.
" I cared little then or afterward for ecclesiastical
creeds or forms. What I wanted to see was an or-
ganization with the salvation of the world as its su-
preme ambition and object, worked upon the simple,
earnest principles which I had myself embraced, and
which, youth as I was, I had already seen carried into
successful practice."
In 1849, ^^- Booth removed from Nottingham to
London. There were temporal advantages in the
change. Nevertheless, it was his first absence from
home and he sorely missed his mother, by whom he
was idolised, and whose affection he ardently returned.
WILLIAM BOOTH.
n
"I am the only son of my mother, and she is a
widow," was his pathetic introduction of himself to a
Methodist brother who, forty years later, remembers
the very tone in which the words were uttered. His
London life was, moreover, a lonely one. He missed
the association of the earnest young men in whose
company he had laboured since his conversion.
1849,
Age 20.
" How are you going on ? " He writes in his oldest extant
letter dated 30th October, 1849, to his friend John Savage.
" I know you are happy. I know you are living to God, and
working for Jesus. Grasp still firmer the standard ! unfold
still wider the battle-flag ! Press still closer on the ranks of
the enemy, and mark your pathway still more distinctly with
glorious trophies of Emmanuel's grace, and with enduring
monuments of Jesus' power ! The trumpet has given the sig-
nal for the conflict ! Your General assures you of success and
a glorious reward ; your crown is already held out ! Then why
delay! Why doubt ? Onward! Onward! Onward! Christ
for me! Be that your motto — be that your battle-cry — be
that your war-note — be that your consolation^be that your
plea when asking mercy of God — your end when offering it to
man — your hope when encircled by darkness — your triumph
and victory when attacked and overcome by death ! Christ
for me! Tell it to men, who are living and dying in sin!
Tell it to Jesus, that you have chosen Him to be your Saviour
and your God. Tell it to devils, and bid them cease to harass,
since you are determined to die for the truth !
" I preached on Sabbath last — a respectable but dull and life-
less congregation. Notwithstanding I had liberty both pray-
ing and preaching, I had not the assistance of a single 'Amen'
or 'Hallelujah' the whole of the service! It is hard to work,
to preach, to labour for an hour and a half in the pulpit, and
then come down and, have to do the work of the prayer-
meeting as well! I want some Savages, and Proctors, and
Frosts, and Hoveys, and Robinsons, here with me in the
prayer-meetings, and, glory to God, we would carry all be-
fore us ! Praise God for living at Nottingham every hour you
are in it ! Oh, to live to Christ on earth, and to meet you
once more, never to part, in a better world!"
The Gen-
eraVs
earliest
extant let-
ter.
The Army
foreshad-
owed.
No
Ainens!
76
MRS. BOOTH.
1850,
Age 21.
His plan
of cam-
paign.
His early
critics.
Too much
of the
shrotid.
Another
letter.
It is interesting to trace thus early what afterward
came to be a distinguishing feature of General Booth's
"plan of campaign," the utilising of every converted
person in some capacity, as distinguished from the
parson-do-everything system which he here so strongly
deprecates. Nothing perhaps more powerfully char-
acterises the Salvation Army of later years than its
"ministry of all the talents." This has meant noth-
ing short of a revolution in the religious world. But
we should hardly have expected the happy discovery
to have been made at so early a date.
There were not wanting, however, those who en-
deavoured to throw cold water upon his vehement
zeal. "Young man," said one of these critics, "there
is too imicJi of the shroud in your preaching." Said
others, "You are not sufficiently argumentative.
Your sermons do not display sufficient marks of
study!"
How disheartening he felt their remarks to be, we
learn from some of the letters written to his friend,
John Savage.
On the 30th of March, 1850, he writes:
" Concerning my pulpit efforts, I am more than ever dis-
couraged. Upon becoming acquainted with my congrega-
tions, I am surprised at the amount of intellect which I have
endeavoured to address. I am waking up as it were from a
dream, and discover that my hopes are vanity, and that I lit-
erally know nothing."
Aiming
at results.
In another letter he writes more cheerfully:
" I preached twice yesterday at Norwood — a dear people. In
the morning, I trust, 'O Lord, revive Thy work,' was accom-
panied with blessing, and in the evening, 'Jesus weeping over
Jerusalem,' though not attended with pleasurable feelings to
myself, yet I hope went home to some heart. I saw 7wthing
done!
WILLIAM BOOTH. 77
"Afterwards I had some conversation with one of our local 1850,
preachers respecting the subject with regard to which my ^Z^ ^i,
heart is still burning — I mean the full work. He advises me
by all means to offer myself next March, and leave it in the
hands of God and the Church. What say you? You are my
friend, the chosen of my companions, the man after my own
heart. What say you ? I want to be a devoted, simple and
sincere follower of the Bleeding Lamb. I do not desire the
pastor's crust without having most distinctly received the
pastor's call. And yet my inmost spirit is panting for the
delightful employment of telling from morn till eve, from eve
to midnight, the glad tidings that mercy is free.
" Mercy ! Have you heard the word ? Have you felt its Mercv'
power ? Mercy ! Can you describe its hidden, unfathomable
meaning ? Mercy ! Let the sound be borne on every breeze !
Mercy ! Shout it the world around until there is not a sin-
unpardoned, a pollution-spotted, a hell-marked spirit, un-
washed, unsanctified ! until there is not a sign of the curse in
existence, not a sorrow unsoothed, not a tear unwiped away !
until the world is flooded with salvation and all men are bath-
ing in its life-giving streams !"
What are we to think of the inconceivable blind-
ness of the superintendent, who could cold-bloodedly
tell the fiery young evangelist, when he proposed to
offer himself for the ministry, that "preachers zvere Preachers
not zvanted by the Connexion !" We cannot help smil- wanted.
ing as we find William Booth writing to his friend,
that he was seriously thinking of tendering his services
as chaplain to a convict-ship, in order to work his way
out to Australia, as he had heard that it was easier to
enter the ministry there than in England. He adds
touchingly :
" And then my mother's image flits across my mind! You
know I would prefer by far the home-work. But the difficul-
ties are so great. My ability is not equal to the task.
Preachers are not wanted. My superintendent told me so-
And to go to quarter-day and not succeed would break my
heart. Were my talents of a superior nature, were my at-
78 MRS. BOOTH.
1851, tainments of a more elevated character, and my education
Age 22. rnore liberal and extensive, then might I calculate with some
degree of certainty on passing the scrutiny of the criticising
leaders, preachers, and trustees of the London fifth, or Lam-
beth circuit."
His atti- In 1 85 I, the Reform movement was at its height.
wa^ds\e ^^^ the character which the agitation had assumed
Kcform- possessed little interest for William Booth. To him
the all-absorbing question of his life was how best to
reach and save the masses. Certainly he had shared
the universal disappointment at the banishment of
Mr.Caughey from Nottingham, when the revival was at
its very height. Himself converted only a few months
previously, his heart fired with all the burning en-
thusiasm of its early love, he could not understand
the motives that prompted the Conference to put a
stop to so manifest a work of God. Still, like others,
he had bowed to the decision, and had accepted what
he could neither hinder nor approve.
The Rev. It was inevitable, however, that he should be in
Samuel 1 j • i. ^ j • „
Dunn, some measure concerned and interested m a move-
ment which involved the loss of nearly one-third of
its members to the Wesleyan Connexion. Several of
his personal friends were among those who seceded
or were expelled, and the Rev. Samuel Dunn, who
was the leading spirit in the agitation, had been for
three years his own superintendent in Nottingham,
had recognised his ability, admired his zeal, and di-
rected his studies for the ministry. But beyond at-
tending a few of the meetings held in London by the
Mr. Booth Reformers, Mr. Booth held studiously aloof from
ahjof. them, neither preaching for them nor in any way
identifying himself with them. Nevertheless, in
the society to which he belonged there were already
twenty-two lay-preachers, and the pulpit work to be
WILLIAM BOOTH. 79
divided among them was so trifling as to afford but 1851,
little scope for the intense activities and organizing ^^ ^^'
genius which already fired his heart and brain. Feel-
ing that his time would be better spent in open-air
work in the streets and greens of Kennington, he
tendered the resignation of his honorary post, request- j^''-)'-^',^-]
inef at the same time that his name mig^ht be retained preaehcr-
among the list of members.
An agitation assuming the proportions and duration is sus-
of the Reform movement could hardly fail to be ■^^''^ ^"^ '
marked by incidents of a regretable character. The
entire atmosphere seemed laden with doubt and sus-
picion. Innocent actions were misunderstood, and
inoffensive words misinterpreted. Nor would it be
just to blame the Conference for the over-zeal dis-
played by some of their well-meaning but too hasty
partisans. To uproot a field of wheat, in order to ex-
tirpate an occasional tare, is a temptation to which
human nature has been ever open.
It so happened that the minister in charge of Mr. Ayui ex-
Booth's circuit was of an uncompromising heresy-
hunting disposition. It is scarcely to be wondered
at, therefore, that he viewed with suspicion the con-
duct of his lay assistant. Making sure that he had
discovered once more the cloven hoof of the Reform-
ers, and determined to purge his society from every
trace of the pernicious taint, he withheld the usual
ticket of membership, and thus practically expelled
from the Wesleyan body the most talented and bril-
liant Methodist of the day. Not a finger was lifted,
not an effort made, not a protest uttered, not a syl-
lable of kindly counsel offered, by this strangely
infatuated shepherd of the flock, who, with an as-
sumption of infallibility that the Pope himself could
scarcely have rivalled, wrapped himself in the cloak
Xielled.
8o
MRS. BOOTH.
1851,
Age 22.
The Re-
formers
invite him
to join
them.
His
friend
Mr. Bab-
bitts.
A promi-
nent Re-
former.
Hears
Mr.
Booth^s
first ser-
mon.
of his ecclesiastical dignity, and would deign no fur-
ther response beyond a curt letter refusing to acqui-
esce in Mr. Booth's proposal.
No sooner, however, had the Reformers heard of
this unjustifiable expulsion than they passed a resolu-
tion cordially inviting Mr. Booth to join their ranks.
The suggestion was warmly seconded by one of their
leaders, a Mr. Rabbitts, who had almost from the
time of his first arrival in London entertained a warm
affection for Mr. Booth. Mr. Rabbitts was engaged
in the boot and shoe trade, owning three or four
shops, which afterward developed into an enormous
concern with its headquarters in the Borough. He
was a good type of the shrewd, hard-headed, pushing
business man, combining with his worldly wisdom
boundless energy and a deep appreciation for true re-
liofion. Himself a man of consistent Christian char-
acter, he was not ashamed to show his colours wher-
ever he went, and took the lead in every good work.
When the agitation arose, Mr. Rabbitts embraced
very warmly the cause of the Reformers. He had
been dissatisfied for some time with what he consid-
ered to be the growing coldness and worldliness of
the Orthodox party, and had therefore hailed the
present movement with satisfaction, believing that it
would lead to a revival of the old life and fire.
He had been present at the first sermon delivered
by Mr. Booth in the Walworth Road Wesleyan
Chapel. The latter had launched out in his usual
unconventional, earnest manner, strikingly in contrast
with the ordinary ministerial style. Some of those
present responded heartily, and the ordinary monot-
ony of the service was disturbed by quite a brisk fu-
silade of " Amens. " Mr. Rabbitts was delighted. He
met the preacher at the foot of the stairs, congratu-
WILLIAM BOOTH. 8i
lated him warmly on his sermon, and took him home 1851,
to dinner, forming on the spot a friendship which ^^
lasted to the end of his life.
"Why don't you become a minister?" said Mr. A.xother
Rabbitts, as they walked toward his house. And on ministry.
discovering that this was Mr. Booth's most ardent de-
sire, he promised to use his influence among the Wes-
leyan ministers in London, with some of whom he
was on specially intimate terms.
Various obstacles had, however, arisen, which had Mr. Booth
. . joins the
prevented the realization of Mr. Booth s intentions, Reform-
until the circumstances just described combined to
cast him into the arms of the Reformers. It was in
June, 185 1, that he joined them, preaching as fre-
quently as he was able to do without relinquishing
his business, and enjoying a considerably wider scope
for his energies than had previously been possible.
It was some months after he had joined the Reform- Preaches
ers that Mr. Booth was planned to preach at one of "'jieid'
their chapels known as Binfield House, and situated in °"*^'
Binfield Road, Clapham. It was a nice little hall
holding some two or three hundred people. The
services were arranged on the ordinary Wesleyan
model, and were conducted in turn by different local
preachers. Of this congregation, Mrs. Mumford and
her daughter were members, and it was here that
Catherine led the Bible class already referred to.
On the Sunday that Mr. Booth preached she was Miss
present, and although he was a perfect stranger to criticises
her, she was very much impressed with him at first preacher.
sight. The sermon was from the text, "This is in-
deed the Christ, the Saviour of the World." It so
happened that during the following week Miss Mum-
ford met Mr. Rabbitts, whom she had known for some
time, and was asked by him for her opinion of the
6
82
MRS. BOOTH.
1851,
Age 22.
The Gen-
eral meets
Miss
Mumford
at Mr.
Eabbitts'.
The tem-
perance
recital.
preacher. She expressed it freely, saying that she con-
sidered it the best sermon she had yet heard in Binfield
Hall. Little did she think, however, that Mr. Rabbitts,
who reckoned her one of the ablest judges of a sermon
in London, would pass it on to the preacher himself.
About a fortnight afterward, Mr. Rabbitts invited
the principal Reformers of the district to his house
for afternoon tea and conversation, hoping thus to
promote a spirit of love and unity and to advance the
interests of the agitation. Mrs. and Miss Mumford
were among the guests, and so was Mr. Booth. The
latter came in late, but was almost immediately
pounced upon by the host to recite an American tem-
perance piece, which he had heard him repeat some
days previously. Knowing that there were scarcely
any teetotallers in the room, Mr. Booth objected
strongly, on the ground that it was not worth while
occupying the time with it, when other important
subjects required to be discussed, adding that the
theme was also one Avhich might disturb the harmony
of the gathering. However, Mr. Rabbitts was in-
exorable and would accept no excuse. He must and
would have the "Grogseller's Dream," and the fact
that he was not an abstainer himself would, he was
sure, prevent any one present from feeling uncom-
fortable. Amidst earnest attention and with all the
dramatic force that earned for him a little later the
title of the "John Gough of England," Mr. Booth re-
cited the ballad. We give it as quoted from his
memory, believing it will be of interest :
THE GROGSELLER'S DREAM.
"A grogseller sat by his bar-room fire,
His feet as high as his head and higher,
Watching the smoke as he puffed it out,
Which in spiral columns curved about,
WILLIAM BOOTH. 83
Veiling his face 'neath its fleecy fold, 1851,
As lazily up from his lips it rolled, Age 22.
While a doubtful scent and a twilight gloom
Were slowly gathering to fill the room.
To their drunken slumbers, one by one,
Foolish and fuddled, his friends had gone.
To wake in the morn to a drunkard's pain.
With bloodshot eyes and a reeling brain.
Drowsily rang the watchman's cry,
'Past two o'clock and a cloudy sky!'
But our host sat wakeful still, and shook
His head and winked with a knowing look.
'Aha, ' said he, in a chuckling tone,
'I know the way the thing is done !
Twice five are ten, and another V,
Two ones, two twos, and a ragged three,
Make twenty-four to my well-filled fob —
I think it is rather a good night's job !
The fools have guzzled my brandy and wine !
Much good may it do them ! The cash is mine T
And he winked again with a knowing look,
As from his cigar the ashes he shook.
'There's Gibson has murdered his child, they say —
He was drunk as a beast here the other day !
I gave him a hint, as I went to fill
His jug. but the brute would have his will.
Then folks blame me ! Why, bless their souls,
If I did not serve him, he'd go to Coles' !
I've a mortgage too, on Tomkinson's lot, —
What a fool he was to become a sot !
But it's luck to me ! In a month or so,
I shall foreclose ! then the scamp must go !
Oh, won't his wife have a taking on,
When she hears that his farm and his lot are gone !
How she will blubber and sob and sigh !
But business is business, and what care I ?
Yet I hate to have women coming to me.
With their tweedle-de-dum and their tweedle-de-dee ;
With their swollen eyes and their haggard looks,
And their speeches learnt from Temperance books,
With their pale lean children — the whimpering fools,
Why don't they go to the public schools?
I've a right to engage in a lawful trade,
And take my chance where there's cash to be made.'
And he rubbed his hands in his chuckling glee.
And loudly laughed, 'Aha ! Eehee ! '
84 MRS. BOOTH.
1 85 1, 'Aha! Eehee ! ' 'twas an echoed sound!
Age 22. Amazed the grogseller looked around!
'Aha! Eehee!' 'twas a guttural note,
That seemed to come from an iron throat !
And his knees they shook and his hair 'gan rise,
And he opened his mouth and strained his eyes,
And, lo, in a corner, dark and dim.
Stood an uncouth form with aspect grim !
From his grizzly head, through his snaky hair,
There sprouted of hard rough horns a pair ;
Redly, his shaggy brows below.
Like sulphurous flames did his small eyes glow ;
His lips they were curled with a sinister smile.
And the smoke belched forth from his mouth the while !
In his hand he bore, if a hand it was.
Whose fingers were shaped like vulture's claws,
A three-tined fork, and its prongs so dull
Through the sockets were thrust of a grinning skull !
Gently he waved it to and fro.
And softly chuckled, ' Aha ! Oho ! '
And all this while were his eyes, that burned
Like sulphurous flames, on the grogseller turned !
And how did he feel beneath that look?
Why, his jaw fell down and he shivered and shook,
And quivered and quaked in every limb.
As though the ague had hold of him !
And his eyes to the monster grim were glued,
And his tongue was stiff as a billet of wood !
' Come, come,' said the Devil, ' 'tis a welcome cold,
That you give to a friend so true and old !
Who has been for years in your employ.
Running about like an errand boy !
But we'll not fall out, for I plainly see
You are rather afraid — 'tis strange — of mc /
Why, what do you fear, my friend? ' he said.
And he nodded the horns of his grizzly head.
' Do you think I've come iov you ? Never fear!
You can't be spared for a long time here !
There are hearts to break, there are souls to wir
From the paths of peace to the ways of sin !
There are homes to be rendered desolate.
There is trusting love to be changed to hate.
Hands that murder must crimson red —
There are lives to wreck — there is blight to be shed.
O'er the young, o'er the old, o'er the pure and the fair,
Till their lives are crushed by the fiend Despair.
WILLIAM BOOTH. 85
The arm that shielded a wife from ill igci
In its drunken rage shall be raised to kill ! Age 22.
Where'er it rolls, that fiery flood,
'Tis swollen with tears, 'tis stained with blood!
Long shall it be, if I have 7ny way,
Ere the night of death shall close your day !
For to pamper your lust with the gold and pelf.
You rival in mischief the Devil himself ! '
No more said the fiend, for, clear and high,
Rang out on the air the watchman's cry.
With a stifled sob and a half-formed scream
The grogseller woke ! It was all a dream.
Solemn and thoughtful his bed he sought,
And long on that midnight vision he thought ! "
The recital was followed by an awkward pause, m.ss
which was broken by some one venturing an apology fl^^aae
on behalf of moderate drinking, perhaps as an excuse ^t^^ '"'
for the numerous non-abstainers present. This af-
forded Miss Mumford an opportunity for replying,
much to the delight of Mr. Rabbitts, who knew and
appreciated her conversational and debating powers,
and who enjoyed hearing her demolish her opponent,
even when the lines of argument happened to militate
against himself.
From subsequent conversations it can be readily The Bible
imagined how ably Miss Mumford would measure ment'
swords with her opponent. "The Bible permits it,"
was commonly argued by the defenders of the mod-
eration faith. And of all pretexts used by those
who sought to bolster up the nation's curse, this was
the one with which she had the least sympathy. " I
think you are mistaken," she would reply, in the
silvery, yet emphatic tones with which she commonly
entered into such debates. " I have not so read and
interpreted my Bible. At a first superficial glance
it might indeed appear so. But if you read with care,
you will observe that there are two kinds of wine re-
S6
MRS. BOOTH.
1851,
Age 22.
Making
people
sober by
Act of
Parlia-
ment.
The Rev-
enue.
Chris-
tians do
it.
The teeto-
tal sup-
per.
ferred to in the Bible, one intoxicating and the other
not. The former is generally spoken of as 'strong
drink,' or some equivalent term, and is invariably
coupled with language of condemnation, never used
in connexion with the other."
And then there was the argument, "but you cannot
make people sober by Act of Parliament." "I am
not so sure about that," she would reply; "by shut-
ting up the liquor dens, you can certainly minimise
the evil, since you remove the temptation from those
who are too weak to resist it. What is there to pre-
vent the government from doing this? It has been
done in some places with the best possible results.
In the villages and districts where its use has been
prohibited, drunkenness is comparatively unknown,
thus proving by experience that people can be made
sober by Act of Parliament."
" But what would become of the Revenue?" have
further argued her objectors. "Revenue!" would
Mrs, Booth reply; " What would become of a man, if
he were to suck his own blood and eat his own flesh?
How can a kingdom flourish that lives upon the de-
struction of its subjects, and that draws its revenues
from their very graves?"
And to the plea that plenty of excellent Christians
do it and see no harm in it, has come the prompt re-
ply : " The more the pity, for as the American revival-
ist, Mr. Charles Finney, has said, it would be almost
as easy to get up a revival in Hell itself as in a church
whose members support the traffic, and some at least
of whom may well be supposed to be the slaves of the
evil."
But supper was announced, and the guests ad-
journed to the hospitable table of their host. How
far the company were convinced by the recitation and
WILLIAM BOOTH.
87
debate to which they had listened, we cannot tell,
but for that night at least the wine offered remained
untasted, and water was the favoured drink.
More important and lasting-,' however, than the re-
sult of this , discussion in its influence on the future
were the feelings of mutual respect, sympathy, and
1851,
Age 22.
Rev. C. G. Finney, D.D.
admiration that it awakened in the hearts of Catherine
Mumford and William Booth. Mr. Rabbitts had un-
consciously helped to lay the foundation of a union
which should make possible the fulfilment of his most
cherished hopes, and which should gather together
and resurrect the dry bones, with which he saw the
religious valley to be so full, until they should stand
upon their feet, "an exceeding great army."
An un-
foreseen
result.
The Gen-
eral's
birthday.
Becomes
a minis-
ter.
Again
meets
Miss
Mum-
ford.
CHAPTER IX.
THE ENGAGEMENT.
The loth of April, 1852, was a memorable day in
the history of William Booth. It was his birthday —
the day on which he finally relinquished business for
the ministry, and, as if to accentuate the significance
of the sacrifice, it was a Good Friday. Finally it was
on this day that the respect and admiration with
which he regarded Miss Mumford ripened into a life-
long love.
He was now practically her pastor. The Reformers
had accepted him as their preacher, at the instance of
Mr. Rabbitts, who had undertaken to pay him his
salary. " How much will you require?" he asked, in
broaching the question. "Twelve shillings a week
will keep me in bread and cheese," responded the first
Salvation Army Captain. " I would not hear of such a
thing," replied his friend; "you must take at least a
pound." And so, with this modest remuneration,
Mr. Booth commenced his work as a preacher of the
Gospel, " Passing rich on fifty pounds a year!"
He had set apart the day to visit a relative, with a
view to interesting him in his new career, when Mr.
Rabbitts, happening to meet him, carried him off to
a service held by the Reformers in a school-room in
Cowper Street, City Road. Catherine was present,
and the casual acquaintance that commenced a few
weeks previously was renewed, Mr. Booth escorting
her home when the meeting was over.
THE ENGAGEMENT.
89
Although a mutual and ardent affection sprang up,
which deepened on each succeeding interview, never-
theless no engagement was entered into, until after
the most thorough and prayerful consideration. In-
deed, apart from the love and admiration which each
entertained for the other, the prospects were by no
means encouraging. Mr. Booth had left behind
him the business career, in which he would doubtless
have made good use of his energy and organising
abilities. In spite of flattering offers he had no de-
sire to return to it. His whole soul was aflame for
the ministry. But for this he imagined that he
should need years of study and preparation. The
door of the Wesleyan Church had been closed against
him. The post he held among the Reformers was
temporary and unreliable, and each week increased
his dissatisfaction with their discipline and mode of
government. They had thrown off the yoke of what
they looked upon as a tyrannical priesthood, but, as is
often the case with human nature, the pendulum had
now swung from one extreme to the other. Having
first disputed the authority of their ordained pastors,
they now refused to acknowledge that of those whom
they had themselves appointed, and whom they were
likewise free at any moment to discharge.
This was no doubt a capital training for the future
General of the Salvation Army. He tasted by bitter
experience that a democratic government could be as
tyrannical as a paternally despotic one. Under the
name and cloak of liberty, he found himself fettered
hand and foot.
As a body the Reformers included within their
ranks many of the best and noblest spirits in Wes-
leyan Methodism. Nevertheless, it will be easily
understood, that amid the turmoil of the agitation the
1852,
Age 23.
An ar-
dent af-
fection.
Disaatis-
fied with
the Re-
formers.
Dem-
ocratic
despot-
ism.
A fac-
tious
clique.
90
MUS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23.
Power
vefited in
wrong
hands.
Uncer-
tain fu-
ture of
the Re-
formers.
The
moderate
party.
more turbulent and demagogic cliaracters pushed
their way to the front. This was particularly the case
in regard to the little group with whom Mr. Booth
had cast in his lot, and whom he always considered as
poorly representing the movement at large.
The power was vested in those who did not know
how properly to use it. His judgment was controlled
and his plans were thwarted by people who were too
brainless to think, too timid to act, or too destitute
of spirituality to appreciate his intense passion for
souls. This he was sure could not be God's plan for
leading His people to battle. "Order is Heaven's
first law," became henceforth a maxim that firmly
embedded itself in his mind.
Then again the future of the Reformers was
wrapped in uncertainty. Their original intention
was, without leaving the Wesleyan body, to organise
themselves as a radical democratic party, a sort of
constitutional opposition of a parliamentarian char-
acter. For a time they were content to be in a mi-
nority. Ultimately they believed their views would
prevail. But the action of the Conference, in expel-
ling them wholesale from the ranks of the Connexion,
had forced them to reconsider the question. Some
were for returning to the mother-church. These
formed an influential party of reconciliation, who
endeavoured this very year (1852) to approach the
orthodox portion of the society, and obtain some
moderate concessions, which would enable them to
return. But the Conference were inflexible, refus-
ing to receive the deputation that was sent to wait on
them. The memorial was certainly read, but the
answer sent denied the allegations made, and re-
jected the prayer of the petitioners.
A large number, however, among the Reformers
THE ENGAGEMENT.
91
were opposed to mediation, and preferred to be or-
ganised into a separate church, whilst others desired
to cast in their lot with some of the more liberal
Methodist denominations, which were waiting to re-
ceive them with open arms.
With such divided counsels, the future of the Re-
formers could not but be uncertain, and so far as
study for the duties of a regular ministry was con-
cerned it might be necessary to wait for years before
the organisation had sufficiently developed to make
this possible.
Mr. Booth doubted whether, with prospects so un-
satisfactory, he should be justified in allowing Miss
Mumford to enter into any engagement. Some of
the letters that were exchanged are so interesting,
and the spirit manifested so exemplary, that we can-
not do better than refer to them. The earliest is
dated iith May, 1852, when the question of the en-
gagement was still undecided :
1852,
Age 23.
Divided
counsels.
Her first
love-
letter.
" My Dear Friend : — I have been spreading your letter be-
fore the Lord, and earnestly pleading for a manifestation of
His will to your mind. And now I would say a few words of
comfort and encouragement.
" If you wish to avoid giving me pain, don't condemn your-
self. I feel sure God does not condemn you, and if you could
look into my heart you would see how far I am from such a
feeling. Don't pore over the past ! Let it all go! Your de-
sire is to do the will of God, and He will guide you. Never
mind who frowns, if God smiles.
"The words 'gloom, melancholy, and despair,' lacerate my
heart. Don't give way to such feelings for a moment. God
loves you. He will sustain you. The thought that I should
increase your perplexity and cause you any suffering, is al-
most intolerable. I am tempted to wish that we had never
seen each other ! Do try to forget me, as far as the remem-
brance would injure your usefulness or spoil your peace. If
I have no alternative but to oppose the will of God, or tram-
Seeking
to do
God^s
will.
92
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 2Z.
Taking
counsel
of God.
pie on the desolations of my own heart, 7Hy choice is made !
'Thy will be done! ' is my constant cry. I care not for my-
self, but oh, if I cause you to err, I shall never be happy again ! "
In the same letter she adds :
" It is very trying to be depreciated and slighted when you
are acting from the purest motives. But consider the char-
acter of those who thus treat you, and dont overestimate t/ieir
influence. You have some true friends in the circuit, and
what is better than all, you have a Friend above, whose love
is as great as His power. He can open your way to another
sphere of usefixlness, greater than you now conceive of."
Little did the writer think how prophetic was this
last sentence. How immeasurable would have been
their surprise had the veil been lifted for a moment,
and a glance into the distant future permitted to
the two doubt-bestricken, fear-beleaguered lovers, so
anxious to do right, and to obey the dictates of their
enlightened consciences, rather than to follow the
unbridled clamourings of their hearts. In looking
back we see the mighty issues that were then at stake,
and all around are spread the fruit unto eternity of
that sanctified resolution. Well would it be for
thousands if they paused similarly to take counsel of
God, before committing themselves to any decision
in so momentous a matter.
Two days later Miss Mumford writes again :
Never
mind the
circum-
stances.
" My Dear Friend : — I have read and re-read your note,
and fear you did not fully understand my difficulty. It was
fiot circumstances. I thought I had fully satisfied you on that
point. I thought I had assured you that a bright prospect
could not allure me nor a dark one affright me, if we are
only one in /leart. My difficulty, my only reason for wishing
to defer the engagement, was that you might feel satisfied in
your own mind that the step is right. I dare not enter into
so solemn an engagement until you can assure me that you
THE ENGAGEMENT.
93
feel I am in every way suited to make you happy, and that
you are satisfied that the step is not opposed to the will of
God. If you are convinced on this point, irrespective of cir-
cumstances, let circumstances go, and let us be one, come
what may ; and let us on Saturday evening, on our knees be
fore God, give ourselves afresh to Him and to each other.
When this is done, what have we to do with the future ? We
and all our concerns are in His hands, under His all-wise and
gracious Providence.
" Again I commend you to Him. It cannot, shall not be
that you shall make a mistake. Let us besiege His Throne
with all the powers of prayer, and believe me,
" Yours affectionately,
" Catherine."
And so on that Sabbath eve, the 15th May, 1852,
reason gave its sanction, and conscience set its seal,
to an engagement which was fraught with results
that eternity will alone reveal. In the dim twilight
of that summer day the twin foundation stones were
laid of a living temple more blessed and beautiful
than that which crowned the summit of Moriah — a
temple whose precious stones and costly timbers were
to be hewn without hands in the depths of darkest
fetishism, in the jungles of hopeless heathendom,
and in the civilised and educated, but beweaponed
and submerged mass of nihilism, socialism, and des-
potism, which calls itself Christianity — a temple
which was to be finally fitted and framed into one
harmonious, glorious, imperishable whole, without
sound of axe or hammer, by the heavenly craftsmen,
as a part and parcel of the New Jerusalem, and an
eternal monument of the wonder-working hand of
its divine Architect.
The following letter, written a few days subse-
quently, might almost have been penned by a Han-
nah or Mar}^ when rejoicing over their answered
prayers, and deserves to be embalmed in memory:
1852,
Age 23,
The
engage-
ment.
A second
magnif-
icat.
94
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23.
A glad re-
sponse.
The high-
est earth-
ly bliss.
A mark
of disci-
pleship.
Bursting
the
bubbles.
" My Dearest William : — The evening is beautifully serene
and tranquil, according sweetly with the feelings of my soul.
The whirlwind is past, and the succeeding calrh is propor-
tionate to its violence. Your letter — your visit have hushed
its last murmurs and stilled every vibration of my throbbing
heart-strings. All is well. I feel it is right, and I praise God
for the satisfying conviction.
" Most gladly does my soul respond to your invitation to
give myself afresh to Him, and to strive to link myself closer
to you, by rising more into the likeness of my Lord. The
nearer our assimilation to Jesus, the more perfect and
heavenly our union. Our hearts are now indeed one, so one
that division would be more bitter than death. But I am satis-
fied that our union may become, if not more complete, more
Divine, and consequently capable of yielding a larger amount
of pure, unmingled bliss.
" The thought of walking through life perfectly united, to-
gether enjoying its sunshine and battling with its storms, by
softest sympathy sharing every smile and every tear, and with
thorough unanimity performing all its momentous duties, is
to me exquisite happiness; the highest earthly bliss I desire.
And who can estimate the glory to God and the benefit to
man, accruing from a life spent in such harmonious effort to
do His will ? Such unions, alas, are so rare, that we seldom
see an exemplification of the Divine idea of marriage.
" If indeed we are the disciples of Christ, 'in the world we
shall have tribulation ; ' but in Him and in each other we may
have peace. If God chastises us by affliction, in either mind,
body, or circumstances, it will only be a mark of our disci-
pleship ; and if borne equally by us both, the blow will not
only be softened, but sanctified, and we shall be enabled to
rejoice that we are permitted to drain the bitter cup together.
Satisfied that in our souls there flows a deep undercurrent of
pure affection, we will seek grace to bear with the bubbles
which may rise on the surface, or wisdom so to bi:rst them as
to increase the depth, and accelerate the onward flow of the
pure stream of love, till it reaches the river which proceeds
out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb, and mingles in
glorious harmony with the love of Heaven.
" The more you lead me up to Christ in all things, the more
highly shall I esteem you ; and if it be possible to love you
THE ENGAGEMENT.
95
more than I now do, the more shall I love you. You are 1852
always present in my thoughts. Age 23.
" Believe me, dear William, as ever,
" Your own loving
" Kate."
One more letter we are tempted to quote :
" 22d May, 1852.
" My Dear William : — I ought to be happy after enjoying
your company all the evening. But now you are gone and
I am alone, I feel a regret consonant with the height of my
enjoyment. How wide the difference between heavenly and
earthly joys! The former satiate the soul and reproduce
themselves. The latter, after planting in our soul the seeds
of future griefs and cares, take their flight and leave an ach-
ing void.
" How wisely God has apportioned our cup ! He does not
give us all sweetness, lest we should rest satisfied with earth ;
nor all bitterness, lest we grow weary and disgusted with our
lot. But He wisely mixes the two, so that if we drink the one,
we must also taste the other. And perhaps a time is coming
when we shall see that the proportions of this cup of human
joy and sorrow are more equally adjusted than we now im-
agine— that souls capable of enjoyments above the vulgar
crowd, can also feel sorrow in comparison with which theirs
is but like the passing April cloud in contrast with the long
Egyptian night.
" How wise an ordination this is, we cannot now discover.
It will require the light which streams from the Eternal
Throne to reveal to us the blessed effects of having the sen-
tence of death written on all our earthly enjoyments. I often
anticipate the glorious employment of investigating the mys-
terious workings of Divine Providence. Oh, may it be our
happy lot to assist each other in these heavenly researches in
that pure bright world above !
" But I have rambled from what I was about to write. I
find that the pleasure connected with pure, holy, sanctified
love, forms no exception to the general rule. The very fact
of loving invests the being beloved with a thousand causes of
care and anxiety, which, if unloved, would never exist. At
least I find it so. You have caused me more real anxiety
The iihil-
osophij of
earthly
joys.
The ca-
pacity to
enjoy is
the ca-
pacity to
suffer.
96 MRS. BOOTH.
1852, than any other earthly object ever did. Do yon ask why?
Age 2^. I have already supplied you with an answer ! "
After referring to some domestic matters she gives
an interesting glimpse behind the scenes at the con-
clusion of her letter:
Don't sit "Don't sit up singing till twelve o'clock, after a hard day's
up sing- work. Such things are not required by either God or man,
and remember you are not your own.
" I remain, dear William,
" Yours in truth and the love of Jesus,
" Catherine."
The reference to the General as a young man of
twenty-three, after a hard day's v^ork sitting up sing-
ing till midnight is one of those unmeant life-touches,
which vivify the picture of the past, reminding one
of the painter who in despair flung his sponge at the
canvas intending to obliterate the scene, but producing
by the merest accident the very effect which his ut-
most effort had failed to secure. The incident serves
as a side-light to a life — an 'Var homo'' to the leader,
who was to girdle the earth with a belt of song,
till, to use the expression of a recent church divine,
the Salvation Arm}^ had sung its way round the world.
The Among the sacred resorts of Indian pilgrims is All-
of two ahabad, the so-called " City of God." Here the waters
of the Jumna embosom themselves in those of the
Ganges, and the united streams wend their fertilising
course through the rich plains of Bengal. Each bank
is studded with countless villages, while at various
points arise crowded and thriving cities, the teeming
population depending largely for their subsistence
upon the river, whose volume of waters, undiminished
by the prodigious demands, rolls onward to the ocean.
Even such was to be the issue of the blending of
streams.
i
THE ENGAGEMENT. 97
these two life-currents in a single channel, which was 1852,
thenceforth to become a source and centre of increas- ^^ ^^'
ing spiritual blessing, extending to generations yet
unborn, and the sum total of which eternity will alone
reveal. In seeking first "the Kingdom of God," the
all things promised were indeed superabundantly
added, and Miss Mumford was able to write:
" As far as earthly happiness is concerned, I never knew so
much as now. I have just spent an hour or two of the purest
earthly bliss I ever enjoyed. Had I never drunk so co-
piously at the fountain, I might be in danger of resting satis-
fied with the streams. But I bless the Lord, He has made
it impossible for me to be made satisfied with anything short
of a complete union and constant communion with Himself.
Oh that we may know the bliss of being fully one with God
(John xiv. 20)."
7
CHAPTER X.
CONGREGATIONALISM. 1852.
Perplex-
ing con-
trover-
sies.
The
fettered
bulbul.
Proposal
to join the
Congre-
gational-
ists .
Miss Mumford viewed without dismay the doc-
trinal and controversial labyrinths through which Mr.
Booth had now to pass. The clue once grasped, she
helped him to follow the thread through all the per-
plexing mazes, which seemed so hopelessly entangled.
The doors they would have entered seemed persist-
ently blocked. Orthodox Wesleyanism was too re-
spectable. The Reformers were too unsettled for
him to contemplate making a permanent home among
them. What with committees and votes, resolutions
and amendments, every one wanting to lead and no-
body willing to follow, like the Indian bulbul, tied by
an invisible thread, he could only flutter from finger
to finger of his many-fingered master, and view with
chagrin the tantalising heaps of grain that lay just
beyond his reach.
Miss Mumford threw her whole heart into the ques-
tion. She realised that Mr. Booth possessed abilities
of no ordinary description. She was convinced that
he only needed a suitable opportunity for his genius
to assert itself, and that, providing he had fair play,
he would soon rise to a level that was impossible for
the mediocrities who surrounded him, and who only
maintained their superiority by suppressing or decap-
itating those whose gifts or graces eclipsed their own.
A possible way of deliverance at length suggested
itself to her. There was near her home a large Con-
CONGREGATIONALISM. 99
gregational cliapel, which she frequently attended. 1852,
Its talented pastor, the Rev. David Thomas, was an ^^ ^^'
able preacher, whose intellectual and powerful ser- Dr.
mons she very much relished. Might it not be that ^'"'"'''^•
among this people the longed-for sphere of usefulness
was to be discovered ? Certainly the attempt seemed
worth making. " I argued," she afterward said, " that ^ modest
OAnhition,
with them. William would be able to make a church
after his own heart, introducing such methods and
agencies as he might think likely to be useful. I
could not see why he should not combine all that was
precious to him in Methodism with the liberty of the
Independents, to whom my early studies in church his-
tory had somewhat inclined me."
But the effort, though spread over several months, Dr.
beginning in July and lasting till October, proved "'"■'' '^
ultimately abortive. True, Mr. Booth was most
kindly received by Dr. Campbell, an influential min-
ister of the denomination in London, pastor of one of
its principal churches, and editor of several religious
papers.
" I was not very sanguine as to the result of this Mr.
visit," says Mr. Booth. "A friend had informed me first fn-
before that the doctor was a busy man, and that his ^•^'''"'^*"-
usage was always to speak to strangers in the lobby,
in order to get them off as quickly as possible. True
to his custom, the doctor came out to me, but after a
few sentences he took me into his room. Pointing
to a chair, he said, 'Sit down and tell me your story,'
and after listening to it volunteered the opinion: 'I ",^f/^,^
like you, and believe the Congregational church is
just the place for you. You will make your way in
it, and I will help you all I can. ' I asked him whether
my views as to the universal love of God would be
any hindrance to my acceptance and success. To this
yoM.
lOO
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23.
The doc-
trinal
difficulty.
Letter to
Dr.
Campbell.
Dr. Mas-
sey dis-
courages
the Gen-
eral from
entering
the min-
istry.
he replied: 'No, you will not be troubled on that
score. Go to college, study your Bible, and then
come out and preach whatever doctrine you honestly
believe you find there.' The doctor then gave me an
introduction to some other ministers whom he thought
likely to help me, and shook me affectionately by the
hand as I rose to leave."
The result of the interviews which followed we
learn from a letter to Dr. Campbell written a few
days later :
" 25th June, 1852.
" Reverend Sir : —
" The kind reception with which, although a perfect
stranger, you favoured me, the counsel you gave, and your
request that I should either call or write a fortnight from that
hour, is the excuse 1 offer for again intruding upon your
notice. Among other things you wished me, too, again to see
the Rev. W. Leask of Kennington, which I accordingly did,
stating that I had seen you. He told me that if I went to see
Mr. Edwards of the New Chapel, City Road, he would be able
to give me all the information I needed respecting the Train-
ing Institution at Cotton End. I therefore called upon the
Rev. W. S. Edwards, who received me very kindly and
directed me to Dr. Massey at the office of the Home Mission-
ary Society, saying that he would tell me all I wished to
know. From the latter I received, that which is nothing new
to me, some discouraging information. His advice was to
the following effect: 'You had better go back to business for
about two years, unite yourself with an Independent church,
sit under an intellectual minister, and then through that
church offer yourself to the society.' Dr. Massey further
stated 'the almost impossibility of my procuring admission
into the college, because of there being now more candidates
than vacancies.'
" With this counsel I cannot see my way clear to comply.
To wait in uncertainty for one or two years, and then, after
that, to be two or three years longer in training, ere I could
settle down to a sphere of labour, is not in accordance with
my feelings or hopes. But even this, should I see it to be
CONG REG A TIONALISM. I O I
the path my Father points out, I am willing to walk therein. 1852,
All I can do now is to stand still and see the salvation of God. ■^S^ 23.
" Perhaps the ministry is not my way. He may have an-
other work for me to do. My prayer, my constant prayer is, Booth's
'Teach me Thy will, and bow my own in submission to it.' fears.
My only fear is, that I have not sufficient ability to be a suc-
cessful minister, or otherwise I would push the thing to its
utmost issue. I fear reaching a position which I should not
be able usefully to sustain. I fear having formed an erroneous
estimate of myself, my capacities and powers, and I tremble
at the consequences. But the God whom I serve, and whose
I am, lives to direct, and in I/im I put my trust, and on I/im
I only lean.
" I thank you with the gratitude of a sincere heart for your
kindness in giving me the direction you deem most judicious,
and which must have occupied a portion of your time, which
I know to be so valuable.
" I trust that God will make you more than ever useful in
diffusing light and truth and the knowledge of salvation in
our poor dying world, and praying for the blessing of the Holy
Spirit upon your labours,
" I remain, reverend sir, yours sincerely,
"William Booth."
Rev. J. Campbell, D. D.
The Rev. Dr. Massey referred to in this letter was The Cot-
Secretary to the Home Missionary Society of the Con- insuul-
gregational Union, which had a Training Institution ''""■
at Cotton End. Here Mr. Booth had reason to be-
lieve he would have the advantage of some months'
study, without being obliged to spend three or four
years at the dead languages and without going
through the ordinary ministerial curriculum, which,
he feared, would be more likely to hamper than help
him in his work of saving souls.
Backed up by Dr. Campbell and other influential Mr. Booth
members of the Union, and above all encouraged by ^Zel,
Miss Mumford, Mr. Booth persevered in his efforts to
enter the institution.
i02
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23,
States his
difficul-
ties,
Is ac-
cepted.
Expected
to change
his
opinions.
Consults
Miss
Mum-
ford.
Her view
of the
matter.
He frankly stated to the examining committee his
difficulty regarding the doctrine of election. In spite
of this, however, owing no doubt to Dr. Campbell's
influence, he w^as finally accepted, and was to start
for the Cotton End college the following day.
At the same time he was told that no such excep-
tion had previously been made, and the committee
expressed their conviction that at the expiration of
six months' study he would be able to conform to the
doctrines of the body, recommending him two rather
noted volumes on the controversy — Booth's "Reign
of Grace," and Payne on "Divine Sovereignty."
This was so different to what Dr. Campbell had led
him to believe, that Mr. Booth was tempted to settle
the question on the spot and to inform the committee
that it was impossible for him to accept their nomina-
tion on such an understanding. However, he curbed
his impetuosity, and hurried home to tell Miss Mum-
ford what had transpired, and to seek with her Divine
guidance. From the time he first knew her, Mr.
Booth had learned to place great reliance in her
sound judgment, and to the end of her life he em-
barked on no important enterprise, nor struck out on
any new path, without consulting her, and enjoying
the full benefit of her statesmanlike and far-reaching
mental instinct.
Miss Mumford rose to the occasion. Indeed, like
a well-built vessel in a storm, these life tornadoes
only served to call into play the innate capacities of
her soul. Moreover, she took a more hopeful view
of the case than Mr. Booth was inclined to do. It
seemed evident to her, from what Dr. Campbell and
others had said, that the committee did not fairly rep-
resent the feelings of the Union. There was, at
least, an important and influential section of the body
CONGREGATIONALISM. 103
who, if they did not exactly agree with Mr. Booth's 1852,
views, would at any rate leave him free to think and ^^ ^^'
act according to the dictates of his conscience. Never-
theless, she trembled lest she should influence him
in the wrong direction. Fearing that anxiety for her
future well-being might influence him, she besought
him to exclude her from his considerations, and to
decide as he would have done had he not known her.
"Don't think," she said, "I shall be disappointed or Urgeshim
dissatisfied, if you settle against the college. I prom- Ms^con-
ise you it will not cause me one hour's uneasiness, and ^^*^'^^^-
should it be afterward necessary, I will exert all my
ingenuity and influence to smooth and comfort your
mind under any misgivings as to the judiciousness
of the step, whatever path the Providence of God may
open before you. All my energies shall be thrown
into it, and, as far as I am able, I will be a help-meet
for you. So long as you are useful and happy, I shall
be satisfied under any circumstances."
On his way home, Mr. Booth had bought one of He studies
111 1 "'^ Reign
the books recommended to him by the committee, of Grace.
This he now opened with no ordinary interest and
curiosity, but he had not read many pages before he
flung the book across the room, saying that he never FUm/sthe
could acquiesce in the doctrines which it set forth, away.
and that it would be a mere waste of time for him to
attempt to do so.
The more honourable and straightforward course
seemed to be to write to the committee and tell them
plainly that he could not accept the nomination,
coupled as it was with an understanding, or condition,
to which his heart would not consent.
"How can I go to an institution," he argued, Abandons
"where I shall be obliged to study such books and proposal.
expected to accept such doctrines? At present I am
I04 MRS. BOOTH.
1852, free. I am under no obligations to the committee.
^^ ^^* I can hold what opinions I like. But when once I
have received their favours, I shall feel as if I were
morally bound to accept their teachings. It is one
thing to forsake Methodism. It is quite another to
abandon a doctrine, which I look upon as a cardinal
point in Christ's redemption plan — His universal
love, and the possibility of all being saved who will
avail themselves of His mercy."
And so the question was then and there settled,
and the letter written, which closed the ports of this
hoped-for haven against the storm-bound boat, leav-
ing it to drift for a time in mid-ocean, till after varied
experiences of tempest and calm it should at length
ride at anchor in a harbour of its own.
A fHend- Qod had Something vastly more important in store
/y part- c:> j l
ing. for William Booth and Catherine Mumford than the
pastoral care of an Independent church, to which they
were then aspiring as the ideal of a useful life. Never-
theless, the parting was a friendly one, and it was a
little remarkable that thirty-six years later Catherine
Booth closed her public career, and delivered her last
address, in perhaps the leading Congregational tem-
ple of the world. The " I like you" of Dr. Campbell
in 1852 was repeated by Dr. Parker in 1888, in fare-
welling from the public stage to higher spheres of
usefulness the greatest woman minister of the age.
It has fitl)'- represented the attitude of the Union to
the organisation which Mrs. Booth mothered and in
the history of which she played so prominent a part.
Another While this controversy was still going on un-
^lion.' decided, Mr„ Booth received a warm invitation to
assist Dro Ferguson of Ryde, with the ultimate possi-
bility of succeeding him as pastor of his congregation.
The offer was, however, declined. But the following
CONGREGA TIONALISM. I O 5
letter, written to Miss Mumford on the 28th July, and 1852,
referring to both the questions, will be read with in- ^^
terest :
" My own dear Catherine: —
" I have just received a letter (three sheets of note-paper)
from my friend in the Isle of Wight. He says very plainly
that he cannot give me up, and prays me to reconsider the
determination expressed in my last. He calls upon me by
all that is sacred not to go to be whitewashed at college, but P^^^'i, ^-'^
to go to Ryde, where, as he says, I shall have superior oppor-
tunities for mental and moral training.
" While I do not feel disposed to alter my views in regard
to the position I should have to fill at Ryde, or even to recon-
sider my decision upon the subject, still I must say this im-
portunity considerably adds to my perplexity. He looks upon
our meeting as strictly providential. He beseeches me not to
go to college. I give you a quotation: 'We have a college
ministry already, and what are they doing in reference to the
salvation of souls? Their college whitewash is only garnish-
ing, the sepulchre of dead souls. We want a quickening,
soul-saving ministry, affectionately brought to bear upon the
consciences and hearts of sinners.' Again he says: 'Here
is the place for your social, and I believe loving, heart to ex-
pand and quicken. Don't go to college. Your thoughts were
directed here. The experience of thousands of students says,
'Don't go to college.' Their theology has become stereo-
typed— their social and moral nature has lost its vigour and
power, while immured within the college walls. ' What say
you to the matter? I hope you are not making yourself un-
happy. This is my reason for writing. I am not miserable;
do not fear that. I prayed earnestly all the way home last
night for guidance. I believe it will be given. I am reading
Finney and Watson on election and final perseverance, and I
see more than ever reason to cling to my own views of truth
and righteousness."
These negotiations appear to have fallen through,
simultaneously with the arrangement to enter the
Cotton End Institution, and Mr. Booth was again left
lo6 MRS. BOOTH.
1852, in uncertainty. Although he had given away his
^^ ^^' last sixpence to a poor girl dying of consumption,
Giving yet the conviction that his decision was a conscientious
^lastsix-^ one, involving as it did the sacrifice of his almost
pence, accomplished ambition, filled him with satisfaction.
Nor was Miss Mumford one to repine over the past.
Cheerfully they faced the doubtful future, waiting on
God to reveal what should be their course. They
were not left long in doubt.
i
CHAPTER XL
SPALDING,— LONDON. 1852.
The determined attitude of the Wesleyan Confer- The
Spa Id in fj
ence — their open declaration of war with the mal- Reform-
ers.
contents — their refusal to accept the advances made
during this year by the would-be mediators, and the
evident hopelessness of any prospective reconciliation,
compelled the Reformers to look elsewhere for minis-
ters. This was at least the predicament in which
the Spalding circuit had found itself placed. It was
a country district, some thirty miles in extent, grouped
round the town after which it had been named. Here
the Conference had hitherto possessed a flourishing
cause, but the cream of the laity had gone over to
the Reformers, who had now struggled on some time
without a minister.
Finding themselves unable to make satisfactory pro- They in-
gress, they wrote to the central committee for a pastor. Booth.'
who should organise and superintend their scattered
congregations. Mr. Booth was invited to fill the
post. This appeared to be a call from God, and in it
we can undoubtedly trace a Providential purpose.
Hitherto his labours had been confined to large cities,
which certainly furnished an admirable training-
ground and scope for effort. Nevertheless, it would
be difficult to over-estimate the value of the experi-
ence gained by fifteen months of active toil in a coun- circuit!'
try district. The proportion of the world's population
which is "cabined, cribbed, confined" in towns is,
107
io8
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23.
A useful
experi-
ence.
Studies
post-
poned.
The invi-
tation ac-
cepted.
A hearty
reception.
after all, comparatively small. The vast majority are
still settled on the land. It was as important that
Mr. Booth should understand by personal experience
their modes of living and habits of thought, as it was
that he should explore the miserable recesses of slum-
dom and familiarise himself with all the phases of
city life.
It was reported that the Spalding Reformers were
more docile and amenable to discipline than the little
knot with which Mr. Booth had associated in London.
He would doubtless, therefore, have more liberty of
action, and among the unconventional country peo-
ple there appeared to him a better prospect for an
ingathering of souls.
On the other hand Miss Mumford argued that it
would entail a further postponement of the prepar-
ation which seemed so necessary for a ministerial
career, and the unsettled state of the Reformers made
it doubtful whether the goal of ordination could be
reached within a reasonable time. Moreover, it in-
volved a separation from which they mutually shrank.
The ready access for communion and counsel, which
London afforded, had been especially prized, and they
could not but view the prospect of forfeiting it with
reluctance.
Mr. Booth, however, was so wearied with the in-
activity of the past few months, that it certainly ap-
peared worth while to give the new sphere a trial,
and to judge on the spot what probability there
might be for harmonious and successful effort.
Hence, after united and earnest prayer, it was decided
to accept the invitation to the Spalding circuit.
It was the end of November, 1852, when, the
preliminary negotiations being completed, he started
for his new field of labour. That he was agreeably
SPALDING, —L ONDOM. 1 09
surprised and much gratified with his reception is 1852,
evident in the following extracts from his letters to ^^ ^^*
Miss Mumford :
" My reception has been beyond my highest anticipations.
Indeed my hopes have risen fifty per cent, that this circuit
will be unto me all that I want or need.
" 1 do think it was the hand of God that brought me here.
The fields are white unto the harvest. The friends are ex-
tremely affectionate, and I believe that many precious souls
will be gathered in unto God. I had a good day yesterday.
The people were highly satisfied, and I trust benefited.
" I know how pleased you will be when I tell you how kind
all are to me. The best they have is at my service. The
most talented, the most respectable, and the most holy men
in the circuit, so far as I can judge, are on our side, and
wherever I go, I am welcomed.
"On Sunday I preached at Holbeach from the 'faithful
saying. ' It went well. The people wept^ — an excellent con- T',^^ P*^*^-
■ r^ , , i -, , pl^ toept.
gregation. Strong men were completely melted down.
It was a good time to my soul. In the afternoon Mr.
Hardy wished me to preach for him at Thet Fen — a small
low house I could hardly stand upright in, but two rooms
were full of precious souls — fifty I should think, and I stood
in the door-way and told how ready Jesus was to save to the
uttermost all who came unto God by Him. At night we were
full at Holbeach. I preached from Blind Bartimeus; some
little liberty. Four souls cried for mercy."
The letters abound with the deepest sentiments of
affection :
" I have brought with me to Spalding a far better likeness Better
than the daguerreotype — namely, your image stamped upon '^"'i^ ^^^
my soul. I press the dear outline of your features to my otype.
lips and yearn for the original to press to my heart. Heaven
smile upon thee, my dearest love."
To these letters Miss Mumford responded cor-
dially, at the same time sending the most practical
advice, and entering with keenest interest into all the
details of his life and work. She writes:
no MJiS. BOOTH.
1852, " It affords me great pleasure to hear the minutiae of your
Age 23. proceedings, and of the prosperity and extension of Reform
principles in the circuit. I wish Mr. Hubbard and his coad-
jutors [Conference preachers from Boston] would stay at home
and let you have it all your own way, as I know you like that.
But perhaps we ought rather to rejoice that Christ is preached
even of contention. At all events I don't think Mr. Hubbard
will do the people much harm. He has not sufficient talent
to enrapture them with very eloquent eulogiums of Confer-
ence. And as to his spirit, unless very much altered, I dare
almost venture my salvation on its Christlike character. I
am very sorry and surprised that he does not come out on the
side of Reform. But we must judge charitably.
Hoio to " I perceive, my love, by your remarks on the services you
preach, j^^yg held, that you enjoy less liberty, when preaching in the
larger places before the best congregations, than in the smaller
ones. I am sorry for this, and am persuaded it is the fear of
man which shackles you. Do not give place to this feeling.
Remember you are t/ie Lord's servant, and if you are a
faithful one, it will be a small matter with you to be judged
of man's judgment. Let nothing be wanting beforehand to
make your sermons acceptable, but when in the pulpit try to
lose sight of their worth or worthlessness, so far as composi-
tion is concerned. Think only of their bearing on the destiny
of those before you, and of your own responsibility to Him
who hath sent you to declare His gospel. Pray for the wisdom
which winneth souls, and never mind what impression the
preacher makes, if the ivord preached takes effect. May the
Lord bless you, my dearest love, and fit you to be His in-
strument in saving others without its entailing any harm to
your own soul."
In another letter she says :
" I was very pleased to hear you were going to read Mr.
Fletcher's life. I hope you will always keep some stirring
biography on the read. It is most profitable.
How to " I am much encouraged by the accounts of your prospects
get on. -^^ ^-^^ circuit, and have no fear about you suiting the people
providing your heart is filled with the love of God, and your
head stored with Scripture truth and useftil knowledge. As
a preacher I am sure you have nothing to fear. With a
SPALDING, —L OND ON.
1 1 1
reasonable amount of study, you are bound to succeed. 1852,
Whereas, if you give place to fear about your ability, it will -^S^ 23.
hamper you and make you appear to great disadvantage.
" Try and cast off the fear of man. Fix your eye simply on
the glory of God, and care not for the frown or praise of man.
Rest not till your soul is fully alive to God.
" You may justly consider me inadequate to advise you in Apolo-
spiritual matters. After living at so great a distance from God adviling.
myself, I feel it deeply — I feel as though I could lay myself
at the feet of any of the Lord's faithful followers, covered
with speechless shame for my unfaithfulness. But so great
is my anxiety for your soul's prosperity, that I cannot for-
bear to say a word sometimes, even though realizing that I
need your advice far more than you need mine."
A favor-
ite air.
A few days later she writes :
" The post-boy is just going past, singing that tune you
liked so, 'Why did my master sell me?' [a secular air to which
Mr. Booth had adapted spiritual words.] He frequently passes
my window humming it, and somehow it brings such a shade
over my heart, making me realize my loneliness, now that
I hear you sing it no longer !
" I have felt it very good to draw nigh unto God. Oh to
live in the spirit of prayer! I feel it is the secret of real re-
ligion, the mainspring of all usefulness. In no frame does
the soul so copiously receive and so radiantly reflect the rays
of the Sun of Righteousness as in this !"
The social qualities of the young preacher, from His early
the very first, found him a place in the hearts of the ^^^^uy^^^
people. His intense zeal was coupled with shrewd
common sense, and his ultra-pietism was totally de-
void of unnatural sanctimony. He had no patience for
the religious stilts which, while they appear to elevate
a minister from the level of his surroundings, fetter
his liberty and retard his speed, substituting an ar-
tificial superiority for that of spiritual life and power. -
Mr. Booth made himself as much at home among the
pigs and poultry of his farmer audiences, as in their
112
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 2Z.
Miss
Mum-
ford re-
joices at
his recep-
tion.
The dan-
gers of
popular-
ity,
And of
misdirect-
ed ambi-
tion.
Fix it on
the throne
of the
Eternal.
No re-
proofs,
but
cautions.
parlours or the pulpit. Hence he became a universal
favourite, and the object of kindly attention and flat-
tering appreciation from all classes alike.
In referring- to this Miss Mumford writes:
" My heart swells with gratitude and praise to God for His
goodness in granting you such an auspicious commencement
to your labours, and in opening the hearts of so many friends
to receive and treat you kindly. To Mr. Hardy and Mr. and
Mrs. Congreve I would say :
■ Friends of my friend, I love you, though unknown,
And boldly call you, being /n's, my own. '
" And yet I rejoice with trembling. I know how dangerous
such attentions would be to a heart even less susceptible of
its influence than yours. While a particle of the carnal mind
remained I feel how dangerous it would be to me. And it fills
me with tenderest anxiety for your spiritual safety. You
have special need for watchfulness and for much private in-
tercourse with God.
" My dearest love, beware how you indulge that dangerous
element of character, ambition. Misdirected, it will be ever-
lasting ruin to yourself and perhaps to me also. O my love,
let nothing earthly excite it, let not self-aggrandisement fire
it. Fix it on the Throne of the Eternal, and let it find the
realization of its loftiest aspirations in the promotion of His
glory, and it shall be consummated with the richest enjoy-
ments and brightest glories of God's own Heaven. Those
that honour Him He will honour, and to them who thus seek
His glory, will He give to rule over the nations, and even to
judge angels, who through a per-vcrtcd ambition, the exaltation
of self instead of God, have fallen from their allegiance and
overcast their eternity with the blackness of darkness for ever.
" I feel your danger. I could write sheets on the subject,
but my full soul shall pour out its desires to that God Who
has promised to supply all your need. In my estimation
faithfulness is an indispensable ingredient of all true friend-
ship. How much more of a love like mine: You say 'Re-
prove— advise me as you think necessary !' I have no reproofs,
my dearest, but I have cautions, and I know you will con-
sider them."
SPALDING, — Z OND ON. 1 1 3
Miss Mumford's anxiety in regard to the question 1852,
of study is expressed in the following passage : ^^ ^^'
" Do assure me, my own dear William, that no lack of energy Urges
or effort on your part shall hinder the improvement of those *^^*"1/'
talents God has intrusted to you, and which he holds you
responsible to improve to the uttermost. Your duty to God,
to His Church, to me, to yourself, demands as much. If you
really see no prospect of studying, then I think, in the highest
interests of the future, you ought not to stay.
" I have been revolving in my mind all day which will be How to
your wisest plan under present circumstances, and it appears ^'^ ^^'
to ine that as you are obliged to preach nearly every evening
and at places so wide apart, it will be better to do as the
friends advise, and stop all night where you preach. Do not
attempt to walk long distances after the meetings. With a
little management and a good deal of determination, I think
you might accomplish even more that way as to study, than
by going home each night. Could you not provide yourself
with a small leather bag or case, large enough to hold your
Bible and any other book you might require — pens, ink,
paper, and a candle ? And presuming that you generally have
a room to yourself, could you not rise by six o'clock every
morning, and convert your bedroom into a study till breakfast
time? After breakfast and family devotion could you not
again retire to your room and determinedly apply yourself
till dinner time? Then start on your journey to your evening's
appointment, get there for a comfortable tea and do the same
again! I hope, my dearest love, you will consider this plan,
and adhere to it, if possible, as a. general practice, admitting a
few exceptions which circumstances may occasion. Don't let
little difficulties prevent its adoption. I am aware you would
labour under many disadvantages, but once get the habit of
abstracting your mind from your surroundings and it will be-
come easy. Do not be over-anxious about the future.
^"paldin^ 7vill not be your final destination, if you make the best
of your ability."
Referring to her Sunday-school work she says : „
" At Sunday-school I felt sadly annoyed and grieved at the sehooTex-
injudicious use made of time and opportunity which might periences.
114
MRS. BOOTH.
1852,
Age 23.
Access to
God.
have been husbanded for so much good. It is a great trial for
me to go. But I don't feel as though I could give it up at
present. They are all very anxious for me to remain, the
class refusing to be taught by others. Perhaps after all, I
may be more useful there than in a better regulated school.
If I did not hope so, I would not endure the mortification of
another Sunday."
Subsequently she writes more cheerfully :
" This afternoon, when with my class, I enjoyed a season of
sensible access to God. Oh, how sweet ! Like a sudden burst
of morning sunshine in a tempestuous night ! I felt as if self
were sinking, expiring, and for the moment the glory of God
only seemed to engage and rivet the eye of my soul. Need I
tell you that I had special liberty and pleasure in speaking to
the children?"
The letters contain constant allusions to the tem-
perance question:
Drink " I hope you don't forget," she writes, " to wage war with the
tobacco, drinking customs. Be out-and-out on that subject. I am glad
Mr. Shadford is a teetotaler. I hope he is also anti-tobacco and
snuff."
And when in a subsequent letter Mr. Booth men-
tioned that he had been urged by some doctor to take
port wine, she replies:
Port wine
as a
medicine.
" I need not say how willing, nay, how anxious, I am, that
you should have anything and everything which would tend
to promote your health and happiness. But so thoroughly am
I convinced that port wine would do neither, that I should
hear of your taking it with unfeigned grief. You must not
listen, my love, to the advice of every one claiming to be ex-
perienced. Persons really experienced and judicious in many
things, not unfrequently entertain notions the most fallacious
on this subject. I have had it recommended to me scores of
times by these individuals. But such recommendations have
always gone for nothing, because I have felt that, however
much my superiors such persons might be in other respects, on
this subject I was the best informed. I have even argued the
SPALDING, — Z ONDON.
115
point with Mr. Stevens [her doctor], and have, I am sure,
completely set him fast for arguments to defend alcohol even
as a medicine. I am fully and for ever settled on the physical
side of the question. I believe you are on the moral and reli-
gious, but I have not thought you were on the physical.
Now, my love, it is absolutely necessary, in order to save you
from being influenced by other people's false notions, that
you should have a settled, intelligent conviction on the sub-
ject. And in order that you may get this, I have been to the
trouble of unpacking your box in order to send you a book, in
which you will find several green marks and pencillings. I
do hope you will read it, even if you sit up an hour later
every night till you have done so, and I would not advise this
for anything less important.
" It is a subject on which I am most anxious you should be
thorough. I abominate that hackneyed but monstrously in-
consistent tale — a teetotaler in principle, but obliged to take
a little for my 'stomach's sake!' Such teetotalers aid the pro-
gress of intemperance more than all the drunkards in the
land ! And there are sadly too many of them among minis-
ters. The fact is notorious, and doubtless the fault is chiefly
with the people, who foolishly consider it a kindness to 'put
the bottle to their neighbor's mouth' as frequently as they
will receive it ! But my dear "William will steadfastly resist
such foolish advisers. I dare take the responsibility (and I
have more reason to feel its weight than any other being). I
have far more hope for your health, because you abstain from
stimulating drinks, than I should if you took them. Flee the
detestable thing as you would a serpent. Be a teetotaler in
principle and practice."
1852,
Age 23.
The
physical
aspect
of the
question.
Moderate
drinkers.
Foolish
advisers.
CHAPTER XII.
WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 1853.
A lofty
concep-
tion.
The pul-
pit mon-
opolised.
No mere
figure-
head.
An earhj
battle '
fought
and won.
The new year found Miss Mumford diligently pre-
paring for her future career as a minister's wife.
She had a lofty conception, altogether in advance of
the age, of the honour, the opportunity, and the re-
sponsibility of the position to which she aspired. Had
there been a theological institution at which she could
have prosecuted her studies, she would doubtless have
embraced the opportunity with eagerness. But the
pulpit was monopolised by the other sex, and the idea
had become firmly embedded in the creeds and opin-
ions of Christendom that woman's sphere was limited
to the home, or at least to the care and instruction of
children.
Nevertheless, Miss Mumford scorned the notion that
a minister's wife was to content herself with being a
mere ornamental appendage to her husband, a figure-
head to grace his tea-table, or even a mother to care
for his children. Her ideal was a far higher one.
She believed it was her privilege to share his coun-
sels, her duty to watch over and help his soul, and
her pleasure to partake in his labours. She made no
secret of her views in speaking and writing to Mr.
Booth. Indeed, their first serious difference of opin-
ion arose soon after their engagement in regard to
the mental and social equality of woman as compared
with man. Mr. Booth argued that while the former
carried the palm in point of affection, the latter was
116
WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 1 17
her superior in regard to intellect. He quoted the 1053,
old aphorism that woman has a fibre more in her ^^ ^'^'
heart and a cell less in her brain. Miss Mumford
would not admit this for a moment. She held that
intellectually woman was man's equal, and that,
where it was not so, the inferiority was due to dis-
advantages of training, a lack of opportunity, rather
than to any shortcomings on the part of nature. In-
deed she had avowed her determination never to take
as her partner in life one who was not prepared to
give woman her proper due,
Mr. Booth, in spite of his usual inflexibility of pur- Open to
convic-
pose, has always been singularly open to conviction. tion.
Can we wonder, then, that he succumbed to the logic
of his fair disputant ? And thus a vantage-ground w^as
gained of which the Salvation Army has since learned
to make good use. A principle was laid down and es-
tablished, which was to mightily affect the future of
womankind, and indeed of humanity at large. The
parties themselves at the time little imagined what was
involved in the carrying out of that principle to its
legitimate issue. Nevertheless it became henceforth
an essential and important doctrine in their creed that
in Jesus Christ there was neither male nor female, but
that the Gospel combined with nature to place both
on a footing of absolute mental and spiritual equality.
Miss Mumford's views on this subject are so ad-
mirably expressed in a letter addressed by her to her
pastor. Dr. David Thomas, and the question is so f^^J^^^J'
important a one, that we cannot do better than quote ^J^'''
her remarks in full :
" Dear Sir : — You will doubtless be surprised at the receipt
of this communication, and I assure you it is with great reluct-
ance and a feeling of profound respect that I make it. Were
it not for the high estimate I entertain for both your intellect
ii8
MRS. BOOTH.
1853,
Age 24.
Woman
not mor-
ally in-
ferior to
man.
Study the
subject.
Takes her
stand ujj-
on the
Bible.
Educa-
tionally,
but not
naturally
inferior.
and heart, I would spare the sacrifice it will cost me. But
because I believe you love truth, of whatever kind, and would
not willingly countenance or propagate erroneous views on
any subject, I venture to address you.
" Excuse me, my dear sir, I feel myself but a babe in com-
parison with you. But permit me to call your attention to a
subject on which my heart has been deeply pained. In your
discourse on Sunday morning, when descanting on the policy
of Satan in first attacking the most assailable of our race, your
remarks appeared to imply the doctrine of woman's intellect-
ual and even moral inferiority to man. I cannot believe that
you intended to be so understood, at least with reference to
her moral nature. But I fear the tenor of your remarks would
too surely leave such an impression on the minds of many of
your congregation, and I for one cannot but deeply regret that
a man for whom I entertain such a high veneration should
appear to hold views so derogatory to my sex, and which I
believe to be unscriptural and dishonouring to God.
" Permit me, my dear sir, to ask whether you have ever
made the subject of woman's equality as a being, the matter
of calm investigation and thought? If not I would, with all
deference, suggest it as a subject well worth the exercise of
your brain, and calculated amply to repay any research you
may bestow upon it.
" So far as Scriptural evidence is concerned, did I but pos-
sess ability to do justice to the subject, I dare take my stand
on /'/ against the world in defending her perfect equality.
And it is because I am persuaded that no honest, unprejudiced
investigation of the sacred volume can give perpetuity to the
mere assumptions and false notions which have gained cur-
rency in society on this subject, that I so earnestly commend
it to your attention. I have such confidence in the nobility of
your nature, that I feel certain neither prejudice nor custom
can blind you to the truth, if you will once turn attention to
the matter.
" That woman is, in consequence of her inadequate educa-
tion, generally inferior to man intellectually, I admit. But
that she is naturally so, as your remarks seemed to imply, I
see no cause to believe. I think the disparity is as easily ac-
counted for as the difference between woman intellectually in
this country and under the degrading slavery of heathen
WOMAN'S RIGHTS.
119
lands. No argument, in my judgment, can be drawn from
past experience on this point, because the past has been false
in theory and wrong in practice. Never yet in the history of
the world has woman been placed on an intellectual footing
with man. Her training from babyhood, even in this highly
favoured land, has hitherto been such as to cramp and paralyse,
rather than to develop and strengthen, her energies, and cal-
culated to crush and wither her aspirations after mental great-
ness rather than to excite and stimulate them. And even where
the more directly depressing influence has been withdrawn,
the indirect and more powerful stimulus has been wanting.
" What inducement has been held out to her to cultivate
habits of seclusion, meditation, and thought? What sphere
has been open to her? What kind of estimate would have
been formed of her a few generations back, had she presumed
to enter the temple of learning, or to have turned her attain-
ments to any practical account? And even to within a very
few years, has not her education been more calculated to ren-
der her a serf, a toy, a plaything, rather than a self-dependent,
reflecting, intellectual being? The day is only just dawning
with reference to female education, and therefore any verdict
on woman as an intellectual being must be premature and un-
satisfactory. Thank God, however, we are not without num-
erous and noble examples of what she may become, when
prejudice and error shall give way to light and truth, and her
powers be duly appreciated and developed.
" The world has had its intellectual as well as its moral hero-
ines, despite all the disappointments and discouragements
the female mind has had to surmount. As you, my dear sir,
often say in reference to other subjects, 'a brighter day is
dawning, ' and ere long woman will assume her true position,
and rise to the full height of her intellectual stature. Then
shall the cherished, though but human, dogma of having 'a
cell less in her brain, ' with all kindred assumptions, be ex-
ploded and perish before the spell of her developed and culti-
vated mind.
" But, lest I swell this letter to an unseemly length, I must
hasten to say a word or two on the moral side of the ques-
tion. And here I am quite sure your remarks implied more
than you intended. For I cannot believe that you consider
woman morally more remote from God than man, or less
1853,
Age 24.
False
theory
and
wrong
practice.
Her ca-
pacities
unculti-
vated.
Explod-
ing the
fallacies.
Moral as-
pect of
the ques-
tion.
I20
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S3,
Age 24.
Placed by
God on
same
moral
footing.
Her
moral
courage.
What
Chris-
tianity
does for
woman.
Man-
made re-
ligions
debase
woman.
capable of loving Him ardently and serving Him faithfully.
If such were the case, would not the great and just One have
made some difference in His mode of dealing with her? But
has He not placed her on precisely the same moral footing,
and under the same moral government with her companion?
Does she not sustain the same relation to Himself and to the
moral law? And is she not exposed to the same penalties and
an heir of the same immortality? This being the case, I
argue that she possesses equal moral capacity.
" Experience also on this point I think affords conclusive
evidence. Who, since the personal manifestation and cruci-
fixion of our Lord, have ever been His most numerous and
faithful followers? On whom has the horrible persecution of
past ages fallen with most virulence, if not on the sensitive
heart of woman? And yet how rarely has she betrayed moral
weakness by denying her Lord, or moral remoteness from
Him by listening to the tempter ! Has she not, on the con-
trary, stood a noble witness for Christ in scenes and circum-
stances the most agonizing to her nature, and with Paul liter-
ally counted all things (even husband and children) but loss
for His sake? And even now is she not in thousands of in-
stances 'dying daily; ' waging a silent, unostentatious conflict
with evil, and groaning under a tyranny compared with which
the flames of martrydom would be welcome?
" Oh, the thing which next to the revelation of the plan of
salvation endears Christianity to my heart is, what it has done,
and is destined to do, for my sex. And any attempt to
deduce from its historical records or practical precepts views
and doctrines derogatory thereto, I cannot but regard with
heartfelt regret.
" All man-made religions indeed neglect or debase woman,
but the religion of Christ recognizes her individuality and
raises her to the dignity of an independent moral agent. Un-
der the Old Testament dispensation we have several instances
of Jehovah choosing woman as a vehicle of His thoughts and
the direct and authorized exponent of His will. (Judges iv. ;
ii. Kings xxii. 13-20; Micah vi. 4.) And in the New Testa-
ment she is fully restored to her original position, it being
expressly stated that in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor
female, and the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit is no
less to the handmaidens than to the servants of the Lord.
IVOMAJV'S RIGHTS.
121
" It appears to me that a great deal of prejudice and many
mistaken views on this subject arise from confounding wo-
man's relative subjection with inferiority of nature, as though
one depended on the other, whereas it appears to me entirely
distinct. God, who had a right to determine the penalty for
sin, has clearly defined and fixed a woman's domestic and social
position, and, as a part of her curse. He has made it that of
subjection, not, however, as a being, but only in a certain re-
lationship, subjection to her own husband. This was imposed
upon her expressly as a punishment for sin, and not on the
ground of inferiority, intellectual or moral. Indeed had this
subjection existed prior to the Fall, as the natural conse-
quences of inferiority, there would have been no force in the
words 'He shall be over thee.' But to subject a being of
equal power and strength of will to the will of another does
appear to me to be a curse indeed, when both are unregener-
ate.
" Here, however, the glorious provisions of Christianity
come in to those who are united in Christ. The seed of the
woman, having bruised the head of her old enemy, and taken
the curse out of the way, nailing it to His cross, the wife may
realize as blissful and perfect a oneness with her husband as
though it had never been pronounced. For while the sem-
blance of it remains, Jesus has beautifully extracted the sting
by making love the law of marriage, and by restoring the insti-
tution itself to its original sanctity. What wife would not be
careful to reverence a husband, who loves her as Christ loves
the Church? Surely the honour put upon woman by the Lord,
both in His example and precepts, should make His religion
doubly precious to her and render His sanctuary her safe
refuge froin everything derogatory or insulting to her nature !
" Oh that Christians at heart would throw off the trammels
of prejudice, and try to arrive at the truth on this subject!
Oh that men of noble souls and able intellect would investi-
gate it, and then ask themselves and their compeers, why the
influence of woman should be so underestimated, that a
book, a sermon, or a lecture addressed to her is a rarity, while
those to young men are multiplied indefinitely? If it be only
partially true that those who rock the cradle rule the world,
how much greater is the influence wielded over the mind of
future ages by the mothers of the next generation than by all
1 853,
Age 24.
He,r rel-
ative auh-
jection.
Not in-
feriority
of nature.
But a
punish-
ment for
sin.
The curse
taken
away by
Christ.
The law
of love.
The truth
on the
subject.
Woman
the key to
the situ-
ation.
122
MRS. BOOTH.
1853,
Age 24.
Degrad-
ing
notions.
The duty
of the
Church.
The cause
of non-
success.
I love my
sex.
Indepen-
dent
Domestic
position.
the young men living! Vain, in my opinion, will be all
efforts to impregnate minds generally with noble sentiments
and lofty aspirations, while the mothers of humanity are com-
paratively neglected, and their minds indoctrinated from the
school-room, the press, the platform, and even the pulpit,
with self-degrading feelings and servile notions of their own
inferiority ! Never till woman is estimated and educated as
man's equal — the literal 'she-man' of the Hebrew — will the
foundation of human influence become pure, or the bias of
mind noble and lofty.
" Oh that the ministers of religion would search the original
records of God's v/ord in order to discover whether the general
notions of society are not wrong on this subject, and whether
God really intended woman to bury her gifts and talents, as
she now does, with reference to the interests of His Church !
Oh that the Church generally would inquire whether narrow
prejudice and lordly usurpation has not something to do with
the circumscribed sphere of woman's religious labours, and
whether much of the non-success of the Gospel is not attri-
butable to the restrictions imposed upon the operations of the
Holy Ghost in this as well as other particulars ! Would to
God that the truth on this subject, ^o important to the inter-
ests of future generations, were better understood and prac-
tically recognised ! And it is because I feel that it is only the
truth that needs to be understood, that I make this appeal to
one who, I believe, loves truth for its own sake, and who, I
know, possesses the ability to aid in its manifestation.
" Forgive me, my dear sir, if I have spoken too boldly, I
feel deeply on this subject, though God knows it is not on
personal grounds. I love my sex. I desire above all earthly
things their moral and intellectual elevation. I believe it
would be the greatest boon to our race. And though I deeply
feel my own inability to help it forward, I could not satisfy
my conscience without making this humble attempt to enlist
one whose noble sentiments on other subjects have so long
been precious to my soul.
" Allow me to say, in conclusion, that the views I have ex-
pressed are as independent and distinct from any society or
association of whatever name, as your own on the war ques-
tion. I have no sympathy with those who would alter
woman's domestic and social position from what is laid down
WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 123
in the Scriptures. This, I believe, God has clearly defined, 1853,
and has given the reason for His conduct. And, therefore, I ^£^ ^4-
submit, feeling that in wisdom and love, as well as in judg-
ment, He has done it. But on the subject of equality of
nature, I believe my convictions are true.
" But I fear I have swelled this communication to an undue Equality
length, though I realize how imperfectly I have expressed my-
self. I hope, however, if there be anything worth your atten-
tion, you will not despise it on account of its illogical expres-
sion. Nay, I feel sure you will not. Neither, I trust, will you
judge me harshly for withholding my name. I began this let-
ter hesitating whether I should do so or not. But there being
nothing in it of a personal character, or which can at all be
influenced by the recognition of the critic, and it being the
furthest from my thoughts to obtrude myself upon your notice,
I shall feel at liberty to subscribe myself an attentive hearer,
and I trust a mental and spiritual debtor to your ministry."
The practical commentary on the opinions expressed ^ ^ '^/^-^
in this letter is indelibly written upon the whole life
of Catherine Booth. Her views never altered. She
was to the end of her days an unfailing, unflinching,
uncompromising champion of woman's rights. There
were few subjects that would so readily call forth the
latent fire, as any reflection upon the capacities or
relative position of woman.
" I despise the attitude of the English press toward ^^^^ ^l'
woman," she remarked one day. " Let a man make ^^e Press.
a decent speech on any subject, and he is lauded to
the skies. Whereas, however magnificent a speech
a woman may make, all she gets is, 'Mrs. So-and-so
delivered an earnest address!*
"I don't speak for myself. My personal experi-
ence, especially outside London, has been otherwise.
But I do feel it keenly on behalf of womankind at
large, that the man should be praised, while the
woman, who has probably fought her way through
inconceivably greater difficulties in order to achieve
124 MRS. BOOTH.
1853, the same result, should be passed over without a
Grinding " I have tried to grind it into my boys that their
^ ^boys!^^ sisters were just as intelligent and capable as them-
selves. Jesus Christ's principle was to put woman
on the same platform as man, although I am sorry to
say His apostles did not always act up to it."
No idea At the time, however, of which we are writing,
of a pub- .
lie min- nothing was further from Miss Mumford's mind than
the idea of any public ministry for herself. The
highest position to which she then aspired, and which
seemed to be within the legitimate sphere of a wo-
man's influence, was that of seconding her husband's
public efforts in a private capacity. She says in one
of her letters written to Mr. Booth at this time, that
she was sending him some notes and extracts which
she had made from various sources, and that she
would continue to do this from time to time, adding,
" Perhaps you will not object to receive something
ortg'i?ial occasionally, provided that it is short." And
luring SO we find her manufacturing sermons long before she
sermons. ^^^^^^^ of delivering them. Nor had Mr. Booth
any idea that his betrothed would ever be able so far
to overcome her intense timidity as to speak in public.
Mr. ^ Not that he was opposed to female ministry. There
early had been a time when he had regarded it with preju-
views on ^. ., . 1 -111 1 1 i-
female dicc, having heard a lady preacher whose masculine
mimstry. ^^^ dictatorial manner had grated upon his sense of
decorum. Subsequently, however, to his arrival in
London, Mr. Rabbitts had persuaded him to attend
a service in which a Miss Buck had been announced
to preach. The text chosen was : "The great trum-
pet shall be blown, and they shall come which
were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the
outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the
WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 125
Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem." — Isaiah .^^53.
xxvii. 13. The sermon was a particularly powerful
one ; and, although not fully converted to the principle,
Mr. Booth left the chapel saying that he should never
again oppose the practice, since Miss Buck had cer-
tainly preached more effectively than three-fourths of
the men he had ever listened to.
Unconscious, however, as was Miss Mumford of Duties of
. , , a minis-
the public career that awaited her, she nevertheless ter'swife.
fully estimated the privileges of the post she was
about to occupy. She had long since seen the ne-
cessity of setting a different example to the majority
of ministers' wives with whom she was acquainted.
She was amazed and pained at finding them living in
such conformity with the world, rivalling the most
fashionable members of their congregation in their
modes of dress, and bringing up their children with
almost the sole object of giving them a first-class
education in order that they might obtain a high
position in society. Diligent in their attendance
at tea-parties, they were usually conspicuous by their
absence at revival meetings, except perhaps on Sun-
days. Miss Mumford felt that this was all the very
opposite of her ideal of what a minister's wife should
be. She could not bear anything approaching to
lightness and frivolity. The tattling and gossip with views on
which so many wasted their time were utterly repug-
nant to her nature, and seemed calculated, in her
opinion, to undo the effects of the ablest ministry.
" Being so much alone in my youth," she remarks
in after life, " and so thrown on my own thoughts and
those of the mighty dead as expressed in books, has
been helpful to me. Had I been given to gossip, and
had there been people for me to gossip with, I should
certainly never have accomplished what I did. I be-
126
MRS. BOOTH.
1853,
Age 24.
Talking
twaddle.
lieve gossip is one of the greatest enemies to both
mental and spiritual improvement. It encourages
the mind to dwell on the superficial aspect of things
and the passing trivialities of the hour.
" There are very few people who have either the ca-
pacity or inclination to converse on deep and impor-
tant questions. And therefore, if you mix much with
them, you are obliged to come to their level and talk
their twaddle. This you cannot do, except perhaps
now and then as a recreation, without its having a
reflective evil effect on the mind. I should think that,
as a rule, if we knew the lives of persons whose men-
tal attainments are of a superior character, we should
find that they are men and women who have been
very much thrown upon their own resources, and cut
off from others, either by choice or by their circum-
stances. In confirmation of this, one has only to note
Ordinary the ordinary conversation at a dinner table, or in a
railway carriage, to observe how little substance there
is in it. As a rule there is not a word spoken of an
elevating or useful tendency in the whole conversa-
tion, and indeed it is commonly the case that nothing
has been said which might not just as well, or better,
have been left unsaid."
For a minister's wife to spend her life in such
emptiness seemed to Miss Mumford very reprehen-
sible, and so painfully conscientious was she in re-
gard to this that even in her intercourse with Mr.
Booth we find her striving continually to make both
letters and conversation of as useful and practical a
nature as possible. Again, it was a source of regret
to her to find that so few occupying this position de-
voted themselves to the study of such books as were
calculated to improve their minds, and make them real
help-meets to their husbands. The very idea of what
talk.
A high
ideal.
WOMAN'S RIGHTS.
127
is termed "light reading," for one who professed to
have devoted her life to so sacred a cause, seemed to
her unsuitable in the extreme. For novels in par-
ticular she had an intense hatred. To read them
seemed to her contrary to the profession of Christian-
ity, and fraught with the most evil consequences.
" I have every reason to be glad," she tells us at the
end of her long career of usefulness, " that I never read
a single novel in my young days. Indeed I could count
on my fingers the number I have read throughout my
life, and I do not believe that the little I gained from
those I did read was worth the expenditure of time.
" I carefully kept novels of every kind from my
children, and am certain that many of the troubles
which afflict and divide families have their origin in
works of fiction. Not only are false and unnatural
views of men and women and of life in general pre-
sented, but sentiments are created in the minds of
young people, which produce discontent with their
surroundings, impatience of parental restraint, and a
premature forcing of the social and sexual instincts,
such as must cause untold harm. Not only so, but
they lead to the formation of relationships and com-
panionships that cannot but be injurious, while the
mind is filled with pernicious and vain ambitions
destined never to be fulfilled.
" While I would not include every single novel un-
der the same condemnation, yet no one acquainted
with the subject will deny that even those works of
fiction which are more particularly read as offering
useful representations of historical events or of the
social condition of various nations and periods, excite
the imagination and create a taste for works of a sim-
ilarly fictitious character, though written with a widely
different object. It is, moreover, equally true that
1853,
Age 24.
Her
strong ob-
jection to
novel
reading.
Not worth
the time.
Wo7'ks of
fiction the
origin of
family
troubles.
Creating
a false
appetite.
128
MRS. BOOTH.
1853,
Age 24.
The secret
of
greatness.
The cul-
tivation
of gifts.
Acting on
principle.
few readers of even the least baneful class of novels
ever read them slowly and carefully enough to bene-
fit much by the information they may contain."
It would be difficult to imagine Mrs. Booth occupy-
ing the sphere of usefulness to which she ultimately
attained, had her time been frittered away in the or-
dinary frivolities of society, or in the reading of light
and sentimental literature. No amount of natural
talent would have sufficed to counteract such influ-
ences. The laws of nature are as irrevocably fixed in
regard to our minds as in regard to our bodies. And
we can no more systematically poison the one with
bad literature and idle conversation without injurious
effect, than we can the other with unwholesome or
unsuitable food. And yet what multitudes of profess-
ing Christians expose themselves and their children to
such dangers, vainly hoping that in some way or
other they may escape the consequences; only too
often living to mourn the results of their folly with
lamentations which are embittered by the knowledge
that they were self-incurred, and might therefore
have been avoided.
Many, no doubt, who have listened to Mrs. Booth's
addresses, or who have had the privilege of receiving
her personal advice, have been surprised at the suc-
cess with which in the midst of multiplied and cease-
less labours she has reared a large family, and have
wished that, even afar off, they could follow in her
footsteps and emulate her example.
To such it will be encouraging to discover, that
while undoubtedly gifted by nature with special
powers, it was to the persistent use she made of them
and to her diligent improvement of them, that, under
God, she owed her wonderful career. She laid down
for her guidance certain principles, which are as
WOMAN S RIGHTS. 129
strictly applicable to others as to herself, and having 1853,
laid them down nothing would induce her to swerve ^^^ ^4-
from them. She did that which was good, and did
it systematically and perpetually, because it com-
mended itself to her highest judgment. She avoided
the appearance of evil, hating even the garment that
was spotted with the flesh. And hence to the last
she was able to say : " Be ye followers of me, even
as I am of Christ."
True, she had the five talents, and we may have a chance
but the one. And yet there is no reason why we
should not do with our one Avhat she did with her
five, and then we may discover, as she did, that after
all we possess other talents, the very existence of
which we had never suspected. At least there will
be the infinite and unalloyed satisfaction of being
able to offer to our Master at His coming His own
with usury,
9
CHAPTER XIII.
A kaleid-
oscope of
change.
Art in-
ferior to
nature.
Few
originals.
VIEWS ON COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE.
1853.
Nature abounds in contrasts. Indeed this con-
stitutes its chief charm. Earth and sky, land and
sea, mountain and valley, light and darkness, sun-
shine and shadow, provide a kaleidoscope of change
and dissipate the monotony that would otherwise
tarnish God's most perfect works. The calm and the
terrific in nature are often linked together. Above
the fertile plains and tranquil bay of Naples tower
the frowning summits of Vesuvius, belching forth
dark columns of smoke by day and lurid flames by
night. The serenity of the one adds to the grandeur
of the other.
With the most perfect creations of man's art and
genius it is otherwise. The best that he can do is to
imitate either some fraction of the grand original, or
the product of another's brain. And even in imitat-
ing he seldom equals and often mars the very object
he admires. There is too much of the scale and yard-
measure about his efforts. The mind is wearied with
the dull sameness and consequent tameness of the
view. Contrast, for instance, the unsightly wilder-
ness of bricks, of streets and pavements and ungainly
chimney-pots, which constitute a city, with the bril-
liant verdure and variety of a country landscape.
And so with human beings ; while the world is full
of imitations, there are but few originals. The whole
130
VIEWS ON COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 131
tendency of modern education is to put all humanity 1853.
into a sort of Procrustes' bed, in which, if there be ^® ^4*
room for the biggest head, it is at the sacrifice of the
noblest heart, and if mental culture is afforded un-
limited space, both spirituality and individuality are
mercilessly lopped off. Amidst the millions that com-
pose mankind, how rarely do we find a genuine un-
alloyed child of nature, and how refreshing is the
discovery when it is made !
Such an one was Catherine Mumford. Happily she Giving
had escaped the ruthless shears of conventionality to nature.
which so often amputate the limbs in their anxiety to
clip the wool that grows on them.. While developing
her mental powers she had given superior scope to
the moral and Divine. Hence nature had full play,
and produced the same striking contrasts as in the in-
animate world. There was robustness and vigour
without angularity, firm conviction without dogmat- vigorous
ism, intellectual power combined with feminine grace angular.
and tenderness. She was a good hater; she abhorred
that which was evil, and fearlessly denounced it, be
the consequences what they might. For the Phari-
sees she had little patience, while over publicans and
sinners she yearned with a sympathy and compassion
that knew no bounds. There was an originality and
muscularity, so to speak, about her religion, very
different from the sickening sentimentality which
often passes by the name.
A striking illustration of this occurred during the c^MrTsft^'^
present period, and is deserving of something more
than a passing notice, inasmuch as it furnishes an op-
portunity for the expression of her views on the im-
portant subject of courtship and marriage.
Among the circle of her personal friends was a
lady, to whom she was very much attached, and who
132
MRS. BOOTH.
1853. had been engaged for some years to a minister, So-
^^ ^* cially she was his equal, while her talents and piety
admirably fitted her for the position she was to occupy.
It so happened, however, that in the neighbourhood
there resided a wealthy family, at whose house he be-
came a frequent visitor. Finding there was an op-
portunity for bettering his worldly interests he basely
A broken broke off his engagement, adding insult to injury by
engage- i-,- i- iiT-i ■, -, -,
ment. alleging as his reason that he did not and could not
love her. Soon afterward, however, it became known
that he was engaged to a daughter of the family re-
ferred to. Miss Mumford was indignant at the heart-
less treatment of her friend, whose sorrow she entered
into as though it had been her own. To her the vows
of betrothal were as sacred as those of marriage, es-
pecially when, as in this case, they had not only been
entered upon with deliberation, but had extended over
a considerable space of time. The motives which
had prompted the desertion seemed to her mean and
contemptible in the extreme. That a true heart
should be lacerated, its confidence betrayed, and its
happiness extinguished with such wanton cruelty, and
this by one who professed to be a minister of Christ,
seemed to her incapable of defence or palliation.
Referring to the episode in a letter written at the
time she says:
The voivs
of
betrothal.
" I received a distracted, heart-rending letter last week from
Miss , and wrote one of four sheets in reply. Poor
dear girl, I do feel for her! She will, in spite of all I can say,
blame herself and continue to look at the mean villain as if he
were a treasure. Oh, I cannot tell you how I loathe him now
she has told me all, and it does not exalt her in my esteem
that she can manifest a willingness to be the slave of a man
who has told her he did not love her ! But I make every allow-
ance for her state of mind.
" She seems to regard me with uncommon affection, and
VIEWS ON COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 133
thinks my letters I don't know what. Poor girl, I wish she
could rise above it ! As for him, he has thrown away a loving
heart and superior mind to grasp a little gold, and he will
lose both, so surely has his own wickedness corrected him !
He seems to fear the exposure. He has resigned office and says
he M'ill emigrate. I should hope he will ! He ought to be
sent out of the country free of expense ! What can we think
of a young man, who would go in and out of a house, where
he saw he was making a false impression on the mind of a
lady, without giving her any intimation that he was engaged?
What sort of love could he feel for the professed object of his
choice? What kind of notions would he entertain of manly
honour? What species of religion could he possess, who would
so coolly sacrifice honour and humanity and one who loved
him, in order to possess himself of a little gold?"
It was not that Miss Mumford doubted that many
rashly formed engagements would better be cancelled
rather than consummated in a marriage which would
mean a life of prolonged misery to both parties. But
in such cases she believed that whatever action was
taken should be by mutual consent, or at least with
the tenderest consideration for the feelings of each
concerned.
"Who can wonder," she remarked in later life,
"that marriage is so often a failure, when we observe
the ridiculous way in which courtship is commonly
carried on? Would not ajiy partnership result disas-
trously that was entered into in so blind and senseless
a fashion ?
" Perhaps the greatest evil of all is Jiurry. Young
people do not allow themselves time to know each
other before an engagement is formed. They should
take time, and make opportunities for acquainting
themselves with each other's character, disposition,
and peculiarities before coming to a decision. This
is the great point. They should on no account com-
mit themselves until they are fully satisfied in their
1853,
Age 24.
Unsuit-
able en-
gage-
ments.
The cause
of un-
happy
mar-
riages.
The evil
of hurrij.
134
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S3,
Age 24.
Acting on
principle.
Congeni-
ality of
temper-
ament.
The
bread-
winner
and
house-
keejjer
idea.
Religious
agree-
ment.
own minds, assured that if they have a doubt before-
hand it generally increases afterward. I am con-
vinced that this is where thousands make shipwreck,
and mourn the consequences all their lives.
" Then again, every courtship ought to be based on
certain definite principles. This, too, is a fruitful
cause of mistake and misery. Very few have a defi-
nite idea as to what they want in a partner, and hence
they do not look for it. They simply go about the
matter in a haphazard sort of fashion, and jump into
an alliance upon the first drawings of mere natural
feeling, regardless of the laws which govern such
relationships.
" In the first place, each of the parties ought to be
satisfied that there are to be found in the other such
qualities as would make them friends if they were of
the same sex. In other words, there should be a con-
geniality and compatibility of temperament. For
instance, it must be a fatal error, fraught with per-
petual misery, for a man who has mental gifts and
high aspirations to marry a woman who is only fit to
be a mere drudge ; or for a woman of refinement and
ability to marry a man who is good for nothing better
than to follow the plough, or look after a machine.
And yet, how many seek for a mere bread-winner, or
a housekeeper, rather than for a friend, a counsellor
and companion. Unhappy marriages are usually the
consequences of too great a disparity of mind, age,
temperament, training, or antecedents.
" As quite a young girl I early made up my mind
to certain qualifications which I regarded as indispen-
sable to the forming of any engagement.
" In the first place, I was determined that his re-
ligious views must coincide with mine. He must be
a sincere Christian; not a nominal one, or a mere church
VIEWS ON COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 135
member, but truly converted to God. It is probably 1853,
not too much to say, that so far as professedly relig- ^^ ^^'
ious people are concerned, three-fourths of the matri-
monial misery endured is brought upon themselves
by the neglect of this principle. Those who do, at
least in a measure, love God and try to serve Him,
form alliances with those who have no regard for His
laws, and who practically, if not avowedly, live as
though He had no existence. Marriage is a Divine
institution, and in order to ensure at any rate the
highest and most lasting happiness, the persons who
enter into it must first of all themselves be in the
Divine plan. For if a man or woman be not able to
restrain and govern their own natures, how can they
reasonably expect to control the nature of another?
If his or her being is not in harmony with itself, how
can it be in harmony with that of anybody else ?
" Thousands of Christians, women especially, have a sad ex-
proved by bitter experience that neither money, po- p^^^^^^^-
sition, nor any other worldly advantage has availed
to prevent the punishment that invariably attends
disobedience to the command, ' Be not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers.'
" The second essential which I resolved upon was Simiiar-
^ty of
that he should be a man of sense. I knew that I charac-
could never respect a fool, or one much weaker men-
tally than myself. Many imagine that because a
person is converted, that is all that is required. This
is a great mistake. There ought to be a similarity
or congeniality of character as well as of grace. As
a dear old man, whom I often quote, once said, 'When
thou choosest a companion for life, choose one with
whom thou couldst live without grace, lest he lose it!'
" The third essential consisted of oneness of views Oneness
O T VtBIVS
and tastes, any idea of lordship or ownership being
136
MRS. BOOTH.
1853,
Age 24.
The law
of love.
Mutual
give and
take.
No physi-
cal repug-
nance.
An ab-
stainer
from con-
viction.
Certain
prefer-
ences.
lost in love. There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ
intended, by making love the law of marriage, to re-
store woman to the position God intended her to oc-
cupy, as also to destroy the curse of the fall, which
man by dint of his merely superior physical strength
and advantageous position had magnified, if not really
to a large extent manufactured. Of course there
must and will be mutual yielding wherever there is
proper love, because it is a pleasure and a joy to yield
our own wills to those for whom we have real affection,
whenever it can be done with an approving con-
science. This is just as true with regard to man as
to woman, and if we have never proved it individually
during married life, most of us have had abundant
evidence of it at any rate during courting days.
" For the same reason neither party should attempt
to force an alliance where there exists a physical re-
pugnance. Natural instinct in this respect is usually
too strong for reason, and asserts itself in after life
in such a way as to make both supremely miserable,
although, on the other hand, nothing can be more
absurd than a union founded on attractions of a mere
physical character, or on the more showy and shallow
mental accomplishments that usually first strike the
eye of a stranger.
" Another resolution that I made was that I would
never marry a man who was not a total abstainer, and
this from conviction, and not merely in order to grat-
ify me.
" Besides these things, which I looked upon as be-
ing absolutely essential, I had, like most people,
certain preferences. The first was that the object of
my choice should be a minister, feeling that as his
wife I could occupy the highest possible sphere of
Christian usefulness. Then I very much desired
Mr. Mumford.
VIEWS ON COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 137
that he should be dark and tall, and had a special 1853,
liking for the name 'William.' Singularly enough, in
adhering to my essentials, my fancies were also grati-
fied, and in my case the promise was certainly fulfilled,
' Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee
the desires of thy heart. '
" There were also certain rules which I formulated -Rw'^s for
. . married
for my married life, before I was married or even en- life.
gaged. I have carried them out ever since my wed-
ding day, and the experience of all these years has
abundantly demonstrated their value.
" The first was, never to have any secrets from my ^Vo
husband in anything that affected our mutual relation- secret^.
ship, or the interests of the family. The confidence
of others in spiritual matters I did not consider as
coming under this category, but as being the secrets
of others, and therefore not my property.
" The second rule was, never to have two purses, thus One
avoiding even the temptation of having any secrets
of a domestic character.
" My third principle was that, in matters where there Unity of
was any difference of opinion, I would show my hus-
band my views and the reasons on which they were
based, and try to convince in favour of my way of
looking at the subject. This generally resulted either
in his being converted to my views, or in my being
converted to his, either result securing unity of
thought and action.
" My fourth rule was, in cases of difference of opin- No argu-
,- 1 1 -1 1 T "'9' before
ion never to argue m the presence of the children. I the
thought it better even to submit at the time to what
I might consider as mistaken judgment, rather than
have a controversy before them. But of course
when such occasions arose, I took the first opportunity
for arguing the matter out. My subsequent experi-
children.
138 MRS. BOOTH.
1853, ence has abundantly proved to me the wisdom of this
Age 24.
course.
The How God blessed a union formed on such rational
principles, and in such obvious harmony with His
highest designs, the following narrative will in some
degree disclose. The value, too, of acting on principle
rather than according to the dictates of mere emotion,
or the passing influences of the hour, has been strik-
ingly manifested, not only in Mrs. Booth's own case,
but in the happy marriages of her children. And the
world has thus been furnished with object-lessons of
what unions so entered upon may accomplish. In
fulfilling the highest purposes of God, none can fail to
advance their own best interests, whilst they extract
from their sorrows that peculiar sting, the realisation
that they have been self-inflicted.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE GENERAL'S JOURNAL AND THE
METHODIST NEW CONNEXION. 1853.
General Booth as the first Salvation Army Cap- The first
tain in charge of his first Corps is too tempting a pic- ^^^rmy^
ture to pass by. Indeed we can hardly do justice to Captain.
the early days of his future Lieutenant-for-life with-
out some description of the Captain in this his first
independent command. To Salvationists all over the
world, and in all ages, the story of the early struggles
and remarkable achievements of the founders of the
movement must ever possess a peculiar charm. And
although our narrative, strictly speaking, concerns but
one, nevertheless the lives of both are henceforth so
intertwined, that it becomes necessary to refer to the
one in describing the other.
The Reformers having broken loose from the au- ^o cen-
^ tral con-
thority of the Wesleyan Conference, without having troi.
formed any central government of their own, each
circuit, like Israel of old, did very much what seemed
good in their own eyes. Hence, so far as any supe-
rior authority was concerned, Mr. Booth found him-
self practically unfettered. From the leading mem-
bers of his flock he had met with, as we have already
learned, an unusually warm-hearted reception. They
were justly proud of his talents, and still more grat-
ified with his success. Wherever he went souls were
saved. Indeed, from the first, he could not tolerate afl^uits.
a ministry destitute of results, and felt as if some-
139
I40 MRS. BOOTH.
1853, thing must be wrong unless there were penitents at
^^ ^^' every meeting. The aim of all his services was to
force his hearers to immediate decision on the life-
and-death subjects affecting their eternal welfare.
The example of Caughey, the teachings of Finney,
the life and writings of John Wesley, and the labours
of other successful evangelists were burnt in upon his
soul. He realised that the same Holy Spirit which had
inspired them was able through him to accomplish
similar results. And before long his most sanguine
expectations were more than realised.
Extracts r^^ g-ive a detailed account of Mr. Booth's labours
from his o
earliest {^ Spaldingf must be reserved for some future histo-
joiirnal. ^ ^
rian, but a few extracts from his earliest journal will
be read with interest, and must serve as a specimen
of the rest :
" 3d November, 1853. — I have to-day given myself afresh to
God. On my knees I have been promising Him that if He will
help me, I will aim only at souls, and live and die for their
salvation. 1 feel a delightful and soul-cheering victory over
what has often been of late very severe temptation.
"Wednesday, 12th November, 1853.— Two souls weeping
very bitterly. I never saw persons in deeper distress. From
about eight until half-past ten they wept incessantly on ac-
count of their sins.
"Sunday, i6th November. — In the morning very large
congregation. Very little liberty, but good was done, as I
afterward learned.
" Evening. — Liberty in preaching. Fourteen persons came
forward, many, if not all, of whom found the Saviour. Praise
the Lord !"
Bringing Mr. Booth's custom was to invite the anxious to
JiouhTo a come forward to the communion-rail, thus publicly
decision, signifying their desire to serve God. This custom
has .since been followed in the Salvation Army with
glorious results, and has no doubt brought thousands
THE GENERALS JOURNAL. 141
to a definite decision, who would otherwise have' 1853,
deferred the matter, and thus in many instances have ^^ ^^'
failed to come to the point at all.
"Monday. — Preaching at Spalding. Good congregation.
Four came forward, two of whom professed to find Jesus. I
exerted myself very much in the prayer-meeting, and felt
very deeply. L prayed very earnestly over an old man, who
had been a backslider seven years. He cried a great deal and
prayed, 'O Lord, if Thou canst wash a heart as black as
hell, save me!' By exerting myself so much I became very
ill, and could not leave the house for the rest of the week.
Sunday, 23d November. — I started from home rather un-
well. Mr. Shadford begged me to tell the people I was ill,
and said they would readily understand it by the sight of my
haggard appearance. I was planned at Donnington for morn-
ing and night and Swineshead Bridge for the afternoon. At
night the Lord helped me to preach, and fourteen came out.
Many more sought Jesus, but fourteen names were taken as Fourteen
having found Him. It was indeed a very precious meeting — mJ^cy
a melting, moving time. May God keep them faithful !
" Monday, Swineshead Bridge. — Here I was to preach three
nights, with a view to promoting a revival. Many things
seemed against us and our project, but the Lord was for us.
After the preaching, two came out for mercy, and the Lord
saved them both. This raised our faith and cheered our
spirits, especially as there were several more in distress.
"Tuesday. — Congregation better. The news had flown
that the Lord was saving, and this seldom fails to bring a
crowd. The word of the Lord was with power, and six cried
for mercy. A glorious meeting we had. I determined to
stop the rest of the week at the earnest solicitation of the
people."
In a later entry Mr. Booth adds :
" During the remainder of the time many more sought sal- The best
vation. I shall always meditate with pleasure on the week ^^^
I spent at Swineshead Bridge. I prayed and preached with
more of the expectation of faith, and saw greater success than
I ever saw in a week before during my history.
"Friday, 19th December. — Received a letter from Mr.
142
MUS. BOOTH.
1 853,
Age 24.
The
Caistor
revival.
Thirty-
six for
salvation.
Wiggles worth, solicitor, of Donnington, requesting me to
spend the ensuing week at Caistor, a small town about twenty-
miles south of Hull, he promising to take my appointments
in my own circuit. To this I consented.
" Saturday, 20th December. — I arrived at Caistor about 4 p.m.
My coming was altogether unexpected, but the bellman was
sent round the town, and the friends did all they could to
make it known.
" Sunday. — In the morning we had a salvation meeting, and
I oifered many reasons why the members should join me in
seeking a revival in Caistor. We knelt and gave ourselves
afresh to God.
"Afternoon. — The place was crowded. The singing was
delightful. The people wept, and conviction seized many
hearts, which ended in conversion.
" Night. — One of the most glorious services I ever held. I
did not preach with much liberty, but there was power and
feeling, and in the prayer-meeting many cried for salvation.
" Every night the place was full, sometimes densely crowded.
Thirty-six found salvation. Among others the following was
an interesting case : Mr. Joseph Wigglesworth, the brother of
the gentleman who prevailed on me to come to Caistor, at-
tended the morning meeting. I found he was then deeply
wrought upon. He came in the afternoon and wept. At
night I spoke to him. He had for years enjoyed the Methodist
privileges — nay, from infancy he had been blessed with a
religious training. Yet he was unsaved, and could never be
prevailed upon to come to a prayer-meeting. I talked to him
about the importance of decision. He broke down, came
boldly to the penitent-form, and with many tears and prayers,
sought and obtained forgiveness. It was a splendid case and
did us all good."
A month later Mr. Booth visited Caistor a second
time, and writes:
A second
visit.
" I left Spalding for Caistor, where I had promised to spend
another week. The friends were well, and very pleased to
see me.
" Sunday. — We held in the morning a precious meeting.
Only two out of the thirty-six, who had found the Lord during
THE GENERALS JOURNAL.
H3
i8S3,
Age 24.
Seventy -
six more.
my previous visit, had gone back to the beggarly elements of
the world.
" Afternoon and evening I preached in the Independent
chapel, which had long been closed. The many fears we
had indulged with regard to the congregation were dispersed
when we saw it comfortably filled in the afternoon. In the
evening we had a most triumphant meeting. God was with
us eminently. I at once promised to stay the whole of the
week.
" I wrote a bill which we got printed and taken to every
house in Caistor and the surrounding villages. The result
was a glorious harvest. Seventy-six were saved during the
week, and I only left them under a promise to return the next
week but one. The whole town was in a ferment.
"Saturday, February 7th, Caistor. — Returned here for an-
other week.
" Sunday. — Not so successful, although the congregations
were overflowing.
" Monday night. — A good time and many saved.
"Friday. — Every night many souls saved. To-night the
influence was overwhelming. The parting with this dear
people was very painful. I had never experienced anything
approaching to the success with which God crowned my
labors here ; I found them a poor, despised people, meeting in
an old upper room, with about thirty-five members, and I left
them with over two hundred members in a good roomy
chapel, full of spirits, and very many precious souls all over
the town under deep conviction. May God take care of them
and guide them safe to Heaven, and may I meet them there !"
But although his labours were attended with such The
ii-i-i 11 -i-inT- T.T r 1 Methodist
multiplied success, nevertheless both Miss Mum ford New Con-
and Mr. Booth felt that it was high time either for '^^^"^^
the Reform movement to become crystallised into a
united organisation of its own, with a distinctive gov-
ernment whose authority would be acknowledged by
all, or, failing this, that it would be necessary for Mr.
Booth to attach himself to some church which an-
swered to this description. It so happened that at
this very period he became acquainted with the Meth-
.4 re-
markable
change.
144
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S3,
Age 24.
Its origin.
Family
likeness.
Doctrines
identical.
The burn-
ing ques-
tion.
Further
assimila-
tion.
odist New Connexion, which to his mind appeared
admirably fitted to the requirements of the Reform-
ers, combining a liberal government with Wesleyan
doctrine. Here was the very opportunity for which
Mr. Booth had so long looked, and he conceived the
bold idea of not only joining them himself but of urg-
ing the entire body to do the same.
The Methodist New Connexion is the first-born of
the numerous Wesleyan progeny, to which the parent
organisation gave birth after the death of its founder
in 1 79 1. It is no small testimony to the creative gen-
ius of Wesley that each member of the family is
almost a facsimile of the rest. Indeed the doctrines
are identically those which he formulated. His rich
hymnology and peculiar nomenclature have also been
preserved intact. It has only been on questions of
church government, similar to those which gave rise
to the Reform agitation, that differences of opinion
and consequent divisions have arisen. Indeed in
not a few instances it would puzzle any outsider, not
thoroughly versed in all the subtle distinctions of
Methodistic polity, to say wherein the various
branches of that body differ, or to which the palm of
superiority may fairly be ascribed.
During the last few years there has been a strongly
marked tendency to still further assimilate, and it
seems within the range of possibility that the union
of the Methodist bodies which has already taken place
in Canada may be succeeded by a world-wide con-
solidation, which would doubtless strengthen the po-
sition of Wesleyanism and place it numerically at the
head of Protestant Christendom, although historically
of so recent origin. It would certainly be a remark-
able coincidence if such a reunion were based, as
seems not improbable, on the very principles which
THE GENERALS JOURNAL.
145
led to the secession of 1791. The gulf which divided
the orthodox party from the dissentients then has
since been bridged by the concession of nearly every-
thing which was at that time refused.
The links which bound John Wesley's followers
to the Church of England have long since been
broken. At the time of which we speak, their po-
sition resembled very closely the present semi-
independence of the various missionary societies, save
that the national clergy were then far less tolerant of
anything out of the beaten track than they are now.
How far the germs of ultimate separation exist in
these more recent developments of Church activity
would form an interesting subject for speculation, but
for this we have neither time nor space.
The question, as it concerned John Wesley's or-
ganisation, had even during his lifetime given rise to
burning discussions. He had, however, set his face
like a flint against all proposals for separiation. His
" travelling preacher" had not been allowed to admin-
ister the sacraments. Meetings were not held during
the hours of " Divine service" in the national church.
And Wesley discouraged generally the assumption of
ministerial titles, or priestly functions.
On this and other questions the Annual Conference
of Preachers, which had been bound together hitherto
by his strong personality, became divided after his
death. Some were desirous of adhering rigidly to
their venerated founder's policy, while others con-
tended for the introduction of such alterations as
might from time to time appear advisable.
Among the most prominent of the latter party was
a young preacher- named Alexander Kilham, who
spoke strongly on behalf of reform, publishing sev-
eral pamphlets on the subject. The principal changes
1853,
Age 24.
Broken
links.
Wesley
opposed
to separa-
tion.
Differ-
ences of
opinion.
Alex-
ander
Kilham.
146 MRS. BOOTH.
1853, which he advocated were, that the travelling preachers
^^ ^^' should be authorised to administer the sacraments,
and that the laity should have equal power with the
ministry in the government of the organisation. He
supported his arguments by casting serious reflections
on the existing management of affairs, and by alleging
that abuses had already arisen, which he believed
could only be effectually dealt with by introducing
delegates from the laity both into the Annual Confer-
ence and into the district meetings.
His ex- Por these publications Kilham wa§ tried and ex-
pulsion.
pelled in 1796. This led to his publishing a monthly
pamphlet which was styled the MctJwdist Monitor, and
which developed two years later into the Methodist Nciu
Connexion Magazine, for the purpose of advocating
his views. Mr. Kilham still nourished a hope that
the Conference would ultimately grant the concessions
for which he and his friends had asked. But in this
he was disappointed, and it soon became clear that
nothing further was to be expected, especially in re-
gard to the question of lay representation.
Forma- The first step taken toward a separation was the
thTNew purchase of Ebenezer Chapel in Leeds from the Bap-
nexion. tists. This was opened in May, 1797, Mr. Kilham
conducting the services. The Conference met in
July, when a final, but abortive, effort was made to
induce them to reconsider their decision. The fail-
ure of this attempt led to the resignation of three
more ministers, who united with Mr. Kilham and a
few other friends at Ebenezer Chapel in establishing
the New Connexion. The outlines of a constitution
were agreed upon in accordance with the views ad-
vocated by Mr. Kilham, who became the secretary of
the organisation, while the Rev. Thorn, one of the
dissentient ministers, was elected its first president.
THE GENERAL'S JOURNAL. 147
The principle of lay representation round which 1853,
the controversy most fiercely raged, and which be- ^^ ^'^'
came the chief plank in the platform of the New Con- Lay rep-
nexion, has since beeil adopted with certain modifica- ^^uon?
tions by every branch of Wesleyanism, and it seems
not unlikely that if there ever should be a general
amalgamation, it will take place on the lines laid down
by this earliest reform movement. One is tempted
to speculate as to the possible history of a united
Methodism during the past hundred years, had the
suggestions of young Kilham been at the outset
adopted. But perhaps the Society was not then pre-
pared for changes of so radical a character.
Such was the origin of the organisation with which Position
Mr. Booth proposed that the Reformers should iden- jhiencT'of
tify themselves. It was not then, nor is it now, one ^ ment^^'
of the most numerically important branches of the
Methodist family. Its position, however, should not be
estimated by this, so much as by the influence it exer-
cised in shaping the subsequent policy both of the
parent stock and of the younger branches of the family,
occupying as it has continued from the first to do a
medium position between the extreme conservatism
of the former and the ultra-radicalism of some mem-
bers of the latter.
To amalgamate the Reformers with this church Proposed
-, 1 . - . - . . amalffa-
seemed to him preierable to constituting a separate mation of
organisation of their own, since they would obtain all formers.
the privileges which had been denied them by the
parent church, without having to encounter the delay
and difficulties which must necessarily attend the op-
posite course. To manufacture a strong government
out of elements so discordant, so heterogeneous and
so unadhesive would, he felt, be extremely difficult, us ad-
Whereas if the fragments were thrown into a pot ^"*^'"9'^«-
148
AIRS. BOOTH.
i8S3.
Age 24.
His desire
to termi-
nate the
dispute.
The sub-
ject
broached.
which had already some cohesion of its own, the
law-abiding portions could be melted down, so to
speak, into one consistent mass, while the disorderly
elements could more easily be eliminated, and would
at any rate be less likely to do harm. Besides, why
waste time over building up a facsimile of what already
existed, when the original combined at the same time
both the stability and elasticity which seemed de-
sirable ?
Above all, Mr. Booth longed to put an end to the
interminable disputations and argumentations which
seemed to be fast sapping the vitality and spirituality
of the Reformers. How could souls be saved under
such conditions, and how could those who were saved
be made into saints and soldiers, if, instead of the
sincere milk of the word, they were fed upon dry
discussions, or if when they cried for bread, they were
offered a barren theory ?
Once decided as to the right course of action, it only
remained to settle the modus operandi. The principal
organ of the Reformers was, as has been already men-
tioned, the Wcshyan Times. The subject was accord-
ingly broached by Mr. Booth in its columns, and some
correspondence ensued. Nor were the leaders of the
New Connexion slow to avail themselves of this fa-
vourable opportunity. During the Annual Conference,
which held its sitting in May, at Longton, in the
Staffordshire Potteries, the following resolution was
adopted and published in the Wesleyan Times:
The reso-
lution
published
by the
New Con-
nexion.
" That the Conference feels deeply concerned at the un-
happy differences which have so long prevailed in the
Wesleyan family, and would rejoice to see the brethren who
are contending for a more liberal system of Church govern-
ment, directing their attention to some practical course,
whereby they may attain that object, and thus restore peace
THE GENERAL'S JOURNAL. I4g
and prosperity to the Methodist bodies. That the Conference 1853,
has too much sympathy with all Christians, who hold the same ^S^ 24,
doctrines and entertain similar views of Church government
with itself, to be indifferent to their welfare, and having
taken no part in the recent struggle, it would rejoice at some
healing measure being adopted, whereby friendly relations
might be brought about between the parties. Where that
cannot be accomplished, to those who desire to unite with us
on the principles and practice of the Connexion, the Confer-
ence would give the right hand of fellowship." *
In the following year the secretary for the Reform Further
Committee opened up communications with the presi- ^^7ions'
dent of the Methodist New Connexion as to the pos-
sibility of amalgamating the two bodies. The latter
replied that they would be glad to consider any pro-
posals for doing so on the basis of their own consti-
tution, but declined to make any alterations in it, to
suit the more democratic tastes of the Reformers.
Hence the negotiations fell through, and although a fail
considerable number of the Reform societies attached ' **'''"S'''-
themselves to the Connexion, the bulk of that body
united themselves to the Wesleyan Methodist Asso-
ciation, which assumed the name of the " United The u. m.
F. c
Methodist Free Churches," adhering as usual to the
Wesleyan formula of doctrine, but adopting, as the
name signified, a more congregational form of govern-
ment. Meanwhile Mr. Booth had opened up a cor-
respondence with Dr. Cooke, one of the leading
ministers, and an ex-president of the New Connexion,
from whom he received the following reply :
"3 Crescent, Albany Road, May 28th, 1853.
" My Dear Sir: — Your favour found me at the Conference -f '^'^^T,
from which I am but just returned, and being now almost Cooke.
overwhelmed with the pressure of duties prior to the publica-
tion of our minutes, I can command time to answer only one
*Wesleyati Times, 30th May, 1853. p. 340.
156 MRS. BOOTH.
1853, portion of your letter. I think it not unlikely that a formal
Age 24, application from yovi to our president for the year, Rev. J.
Hudson, of Huddersfield, would result in your reception as a
minister in our body. At the same time the usage of four
years' probation would undoubtedly be applied to you, just
as strictly as it is to those candidates who are chosen from our
own ranks, and who are well known to us. I fully sympathise
with your views and feelings as to the desirableness of a
union of the Reformers with our body. It would present to
them a home of peace and rational, scriptural freedom, with
institutions of various kinds already established and in pros-
perous operation.
" Praying that the Lord may direct and prosper you, I am,
dear sir,
" Yours in haste, but very respectfully,
" William Cooke."
Mr. Booth Having- prepared the way by a careful study of the
addresses a r r j j j
hiscir- New Connexion system, and by getting into touch
''^" ' with some of its leading spirits, Mr. Booth now
broached the subject at the quarterly meeting of the
office-bearers of his own circuit, proposing that, with-
out waiting for the action of the entire body, they
should themselves take immediate measures for amal-
gamation. Although strongly supported by some of
but fails the most influential persons present, the motion was
to carry -r ir '
thejH and lost, and failing to carry his people with him, Mr.
resolves to o ^ x i
go over Booth announced to them his resolution to go over
alone.
alone.
Hispeopie This dccisiou was received by his people with un-
remon- ...
strate. feigned regret, and many efforts were put forth to
induce him to remain. He was offered the privilege
of immediate marriage, together with a furnished
home, and a horse, and a trap to enable him to visit
distant places. To this pressure he might have
Miss yielded, had not Miss Mumford thrown her influence
f^a's i^t*^ the opposite scale. The inviting career of a
firmness, couutry parsou, she argued, combined though it might
THE GENERALS JOURNAL. 15 i
be with the tempting prospect of domestic bliss, would 1853,
not alter the fact that the time so spent would prob- ^^ '**
ably be thrown away, and that he would be compelled
to do in the end what could more easily and profit-
ably be done now.
There was another course open to Mr. Booth, which Another
had for him special attractions, and which not a few
of his friends strongly urged upon him, and that was
to work as a revival preacher, independently of all
organisations. Himself born and cradled in a revival,
with the stirring examples of Caughey and Finney
fresh in his mind, he had a strong leaning to a career
so much in accordance with his tastes and aspirations.
He was, however, satisfied that even as an evangelist
his work would be of a more permanent character,
and his converts better looked after, if he laboured
in connexion with some already established organisa-
tion, rather than by playing the part of a religious
free-lance. Besides, there would be the assurance,
in joining the New Connexion, of a renewal for at
least some few months of his much-interrupted
studies.
Miss Mumford strongly favoured this view of the Decides to
matter, and it was accordingly settled that early in Neiv^Con-
1854 he should enter the Methodist New Connexion, »«^*'«''-
studying for six months under Dr. Cooke's personal
supervision, and offering himself for their ministry
at the ensuing Conference, when there was every
reason to believe he would be accepted.
CHAPTER XV.
CORRESPONDENCE AND CONFLICTS.— 1854.
The con-
troversy
renewed.
A firm, be-
liever in
consecu-
tive effort.
His sub-
sequent
views.
The
General
writes to
Miss
Mum-
ford.
The decision to enter the New Connexion had
scarcely been arrived at, when the revivals at Swines-
head Bridge and Caistor occurred, leading to a re-
newal of the vexed question as to the evangelistic
sphere. Indeed, but for the fact that he had pledged
his word, and that Miss Mumford was so convinced
as to the wisdom of the step, Mr. Booth would in all
probability have launched forth on an itinerant career.
Not that he favoured a mere roving life. On the
contrary, he has always been a firm believer in con-
secutive effort. But observing the tendency of the
church to stagnation, he thought the evil might be
largely remedied by visiting the various centres, and
holding a protracted series of meetings, thus ingather-
ing a multitude of souls, and infusing a spirit of zeal
and enterprise among Christians.
Forty years have passed since first his heart was
drawn toward such work. Standing in the sunset of
a triumphant career, his views remain unchanged,
and although the oversight of the vast organisation,
which, under God, he has raised up, interferes with
a renewal of similar toil, he is comforted in the fact
that he has created for other labourers a like op-
portunity all over the world.
At the time, however, of which we write, the con-
troversy was of a perplexing character, as may be
gathered from the following letters :
152
CORRESPONDENCE AND CONFLICTS. I53
HoLBEACH, January, 1854.
" My Dearest Kate: — The plot thickens, and I hesitate not
to tell you that I fear, and fear much, that I am going wrong.
" Yesterday I received a letter asking me if I would consent
to come to the Hinde Street Circuit (London Reformers),
salary ^100 per year. I have also heard that the committee
in London are about to make me an offer. I would give a
great deal to be satisfied as to the right path, and gladly
would I walk it whether he^e or there.
" You see, my dearest, it is certainly enough to make a
fellow think and tremble. Here I am at present in a circuit
numbering 780 members, with an increase for the year of
nearly two hundred. Am invited to another with near a thou-
sand. And yet I am going to join a church with but 150
members in London, and a majority of circuits with but a
similar number.
" I fear that with all my cautiousness on this subject I shall
regret it. Send me a kind letter to reach me on Friday.
Bless you, a thousand times! My present intention is to tear
myself away from all and everything, and persevere in the
path I have chosen. They reckon it down here the maddest,
wildest, most premature and hasty step that ever they knew
a saved man to take.
" I remain, my dearest love,
" Your own
"William."
1854,
Age 25.
The
dilemma.
To this, the following reply was sent by Miss Mum-
ford:
Miss
Mum-
ford^ s
reply.
" My Dearest William : — I have with a burdened soul com-
mitted the contents of your letter to God, and I feel persuaded
He will guide you. I will just put down one or two consider-
ations which may comfort you.
" First, then, you are not leaving the Reformers because
you fear you would not get another circuit or as good a sal-
ary as the Connexion can offer. You are leaving because
you are out of patience and sympathy with W.'o principles and principle,
aims, and because you believe they will bring it to ultimate
destruction.
" Second, you are not leaving to secure present advantages,
but sacrificing present advantages for what you believe to be
Acting on
154 MRS. BOOTH.
1854, o^ ^^^'^ whole (looking to the end) most for God's glory and
^^^ 25. the good of souls. And the fact of Hinde Street offering ^200
would not alter those reasons. If it is right in principle for
you to leave the movement and join the Connexion, no advan-
tages in the former or disadvantages in the latter can possibly
alter the thing.
Satisfy " But mind, / do not urge you to do it, and I do not see
your coil- ^^ j. ■ ^ • ^ ^ j_ j_ j_ i • r
science, even now that it is too late to retreat, if your conscience is
not satisfied as to the quality of your motives. But I believe
it ought to be. I wish you prayed more and talked less about
the matter. Try it, and be determined to get clear and settled
views as to your course. Leave your heart before God, and
get satisfied in His sight, and then do it, be it what it may. I
cannot bear the idea of your being unhappy. Pray do in
this as you feel in your soul it will be right. My conscience
is no standard for yours.
Make the " I am not sorry tliat the people think I am anxious for the
act your -.-11 -> 1
own. Step. 1 Wish them to understand that I am favourable to it.
But at the same time you do right to make the act your own,
though you can let them know I highly approve it.
" Oh, if you come to London, let us be determined to reap a
blessed harvest. Let our fellowship be sanctified to our souls'
everlasting good. My mind is made up to do my part toward
it. I hope to be firm as a rock on some points. The Lord
help me ! We must aim to improve each other's minds and
characters. Let us pray for grace to do it in the best way and
to the fullest extent possible.
Living " I am living above. My soul breathes a purer atmosphere
" °^'^* than it has done for the last two or three years. God lives
and reigns, and this to me is a source of much consolation.
" With deepest interest and sincere affection,
" I remain, your loving
" Kate,"
Another
letter.
Writing again a few days later, Miss Mumford says:
"lam very sorry to find that you are still perplexed and
harassed about the change. I did think that there were con-
ditions weighty enough to satisfy your own mind as to the
propriety of the step, and if not I begged you not to act. Even
now it is not too late. Stay at Spalding, and risk all. Pray
be satisfied in your own mind. Rather lose anything than
CORRESPONDENCE AND CONFLICTS. 155
make yourself miserable. You reasoned and suffered just so 1854,
about leaving the Conference, and yet you see it was right ■^S^ 25.
now. I never suffered an hour about it, after I once decided,
except in the breaking of some tender associations. Nor do I ^q^ahn.
ever expect to suffer. I reasoned the thing out and came to
a conclusion, and all the Conference battering I met never
caused me a ten minutes' qualm.
" You mistake me if you think I do not estimate the trial it Feelings
must be to you, and the influence of circumstances and persons ,'?" ""' ,
T^ 1 -. 1 alter reul-
around you. But remember, dearest, they do not alter reali- ities.
ties, and the Reform movement is no home or sphere for you ;
whereas the principles of the Connexion you love in your
very soul. I believe you will be satisfied when once from un-
der the influence of your Spalding friends.
" Anyway, don't let the controversy hurt your soul. Live Mind
near to God by prayer. Oh, I do feel the importance of your aoul.
spiritual things, and am in a measure living by faith in the
Son of God! The Lord is very precious to me and admits
me to free and blessed intercourse with Himself. I have
spent some precious moments in committing all into His
hands, and I do believe He will answer prayer and guide us
in all things. You believe He answers prayer. Then take
courage. Just fall down at His feet and open your very soul
before Him, and throw yourself right into His arms. Tell
Him if you are wrong, you only wait to be set right, and be
the path rough or smooth you will walk in it. This is exactly
the position of my mind now. I feel an infinite satisfaction
in lying at the footstool of my God, and I believe He will con-
descend to guide us.
" Oh, you must live close to God ! If you are at a greater Live dose
distance from Him than you were, just stop the whirl of out- ^° ^°^-
ward things, or rather leave it, and shut yourself up with Him
till all is clear and bright upwards. Do, there's a dear. Oh,
how much we lose by not coming to the point ! Now, at once,
realise your tmion with Christ, and trust Him to lead you.
through this perplexity. Bless you ! Excuse this advice. I
am anxious for your soul. Look up! If God hears my
prayers. He 7uust guide you — He imll guide you. I love you,
I pray for you, and I will do all in my power to make yoti
happy.
" Your espoused and loving
" Catherine."
156 MRS. BOOTH.
1854, It appeared, however, too late to draw back, and
Mr. Booth resolved to persist in carrying out the ar-
Mr. Booth rangement entered into with Dr. Cooke.
Df\Cooke. Had anybody at this time ventured to prophesy
that either Mr. Booth or Miss Mumford would ever
of^the view with favour the military form of government
Army. ^^\^\Q\^ was the final outcome of their experiences,
surely none would have contemplated such an idea
with more surprise and apprehension than themselves.
Quick as were their minds to grasp a new idea, and
resolute and intrepid as they were in carrying it into
effect, they were still too largely dominated by their
surrounding circumstances and by the force of long
formed habit to foresee the chain of providences
which was to compel them, almost in spite of them-
selves, to a course of action leading to such momen-
tous results. For the time being, however, their
pathway seemed clear, and they were content to link
their fortunes with the organisation which seemed
to answer so nearly to their highest ideal.
Jehus, But wherever they might be and with whomso-
ever they might cast in their lot, these Jehus were
Jehus still, and might be known from afar by their
furious driving. And they imported into their new
position an element of dash and adventure which soon
commenced to clash with vested interests. The
child-debater, temperance secretary, and school-girl
monitor had the inborn instincts of a leader, and
chafed under restrictions and limitations which
seemed to her so often to spring from unworthy mo-
tives, and to cripple the aspiration and thwart the best-
planned schemes of one whose genius and single-eyed
devotion so transcended in her opinion those who
surrounded and legislated for him.
It is, perhaps, but the universal fate of nature's
CORRESPONDENCE AND CONFLICTS. I57
most gifted children to find barriers interposed where 1854,
they are least expected, and it may truly be said that ^^ ^ '
the course of the grandest benefactors of the human Barriers
. .-,1 ,, ,1 ,, to genius.
race never did and perhaps never will run smooth.
To our short-sighted vision it might seem well if every
mountain torrent sped its way with canal-like straight-
ness to the sea. And yet thus it would unavoidably
miss some of its most important tributaries, and, by
shortening its course, deprive many needy valleys of
its fertilising streams. It would at least lose much of
its charm, and by forfeiting the added force and ve-
locity which each surmounted barrier lends to its on-
flowing current, would sacrifice in a great measure its
purity and power.
Had the New Connexion proved all that was hoped ^''^.^'^i^^^
for when it received this reinforcement, and had its
Conference been endowed with sufficient foresight to
anticipate coming events, there would perhaps have
been no occasion for the establishment of a Salvation
Army. But, after all, there are not many who are
able to discern the signs of the times, or who are
willing to give genius and spiritual power its legiti-
mate scope. And thus the benefactors of the earth
are too often hindered till compelled at length to
manufacture for themselves new channels when the
old might amply have sufficed.
It may, however, well be questioned whether it ^f^^^f
would have been possible to have manufactured an Army.
aggressive force such as the Salvation Army within
the borders of any existing denomination. The ma-
terials for such a movement required to be drawn
from widely different sources. The more than ninety The
/-M • • t, 4- ninety per
per cent of England's nominally Christian, but ac- cent.
tually heathen population, whose church was the
public-house and whose Bible was the " penny dread-
158
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S4,
Age 25.
A happy
discovery.
The ten-
dency to
fossilise.
Bach-
ward
pointing
finger-
posts.
ful," were to constitute the recruiting grounds for a
religious crusade which was to send forth its conquer-
ing legions to the four quarters of the globe. Un-
embarrassed by traditional teachings, unspoiled by
bungling management, unshackled by governmental
red tape and destitute of religious grave-clothes to
conceal their moral nudeness, this spiritual wilder-
ness contained virgin soil which needed only patient
toil and sturdy persistence to convert it into a veritable
paradise. Mr. and Mrs. Booth were afterwards to
make the happy discovery that the foetid fever-breed-
ing muck-heaps that obstructed the gangways of civi-
lisation and threatened to overwhelm society with
wholesale perdition might be converted into fertilis-
ing material, which should yet prove a source of
wealth and happiness to its possessors, and a blessing
to the world at large.
Human creeds and religious organisations have an
inveterate tendency to fossilise the ideas and inspira-
tions of a dead past, which they vainly endeavour to
foist upon an altogether altered present. They have
too often ceased to grow. Their very garb and lan-
guage are frequently antiquated and unnatural — in-
teresting relics of a bygone age, time-honoured mem-
orials of a buried century, but powerless to cope with
the exigencies of an ever-changing world.
We say it, not in a censorious spirit, but as the
simple explanation of a strange phenomenon. The
results of nearly every great religious awakening have
in time become petrified and crystallised into beauti-
ful but powerless forms. Instead of " spires whose
silent fingers point to Heaven," we have sign-posts
whose backward finger points to the hallowed but
speechless and lifeless cemetery of bygone days and
deeds. Instead of living prophets we have grave-
CORRESPONDENCE AND CONFLICTS. 159
stones which, like funeral sentinels, take their stand
upon the dust and ashes of the past.
Those who have been truly great, because they
caught the spirit of their times and combined with it
the spirit of the Divine, are transported into sur-
roundino-s and circumstances where their names have
o
ceased to conjure or enchant. Had they lived they
would themselves no doubt have acted differently
under the altered circumstances. The religious
Caesars of the past would have been the Napoleons
and Moltkes of the present. They would not have
attempted the futile task of clothing the living with
the winding-sheets, however pure and fragrant, of
the dead. They would have scorned to cater for the
religious few, while the breadless multitudes perished
at their doors; and if their genius could not have
soared to the emergencies of their generation, it would
have carried them far enough to enable them to re-
cognise and support the spirit of the age, in however
strange or even uncouth a form it might have em-
bodied itself. Instead of devoting their ingenuity to
manufacturing patches for the tattered and discarded
draperies of early days they would have contrived to
weave some newer vestments better suited to cover
the moral nakedness of their times. Instead of being
satisfied with sewing together the original fig-leaves
of Eden, they would have invented some more suit-
able material, and instead of endeavouring to clothe
humanity with the bibs and baby-linen of its early
days, they would have devised garments more con-
genial to its manhood's prime. Instead of storing
its new wine in the leaky worn-out wineskins of the
past, they would have reckoned it the truest economy
to invest a few shillings in purchasing it a new and
serviceable cask, consenting with a good grace to the
1854,
Age 25.
Tlie
powerless
talis-
man.
Recoc/nis-
ing the
spi)'i7 of
the age.
The bibs
and babji-
linen of
human-
ity.
i6o
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S4,
Age 25.
Lack of
elasticity.
Existing
machin-
ery tried
first.
transmigration of the accustomed leathern hides into
the iron hoops and wooden staves of modern progress.
Be this as it may, it was just the absence of this
element of elasticity in existing organisations that
justified and necessitated the separate existence of
the Salvation Army, and afforded it a peculiarly
wide and unoccupied field for its operations.
But the time for this had not yet come, and the
earlier years of Mr, and Mrs. Booth's life were spent
in experimenting with existing machinery for the
accomplishment of purposes which became yearly
more and more the engrossing object of their very
existence.
CHAPTER XVI.
LONDON. 1854.
The reception with which Mr. Booth met at the a cordial
threshold of his new departure was- cordial and en- '^^^^p^^^^-
couraging. In Dr. Cooke he found an able and ap-
preciative leader, and the mutual regard which they
entertained for each other was preserved to the end.
The Doctor, who was in the habit of preparing a few
students for the ministry, received him, with two or
three others, into his own home.
That his studies were intermingled with active inter-
evangelistic labours will readily be surmised. Indeed Studies.
the very day after his arrival in London we find him,
on the 15th of February, 1854, preaching in Bruns-
wick Street Chapel, when fifteen souls sought salva- Fifteen
tion. The General naively admits that he never was tenlT.
a pattern student, and that he might often have been
found on his face in an agony of prayer when he
ought to have been mastering his Greek verbs. But
the blessed results, which .had already stamped his
ministry with an apostolic seal, continued to mark
his London labours, and when it came to his turn for
his sermon to be criticised by the Doctor according His turn
to he cv'it'i'
to custom, he could only say, " Mr. Booth, I have dsed.
nothing to say to you. Go on, and may God bless
you." Indeed the constant rows of weeping peni-
tents, including one night the Doctor's daughter,
formed the best apology for the non-ministerial, un-
n 161
l62 - MRS. BOOTH.
1854, artificial, dramatic style which distinguished Mr
^^ ^^' Booth's pulpit utterances.
Dr. " I intend proposing you at the next Conference as
prl^omi. superintendent of the work in London," said Dr.
Cooke one morning, as he strolled with Mr. Booth
through the garden, thus showing his confidence in
the ability and devotion of his favoured student. To
Mr. Booth this proposal Mr, Booth strenuously objected, plead-
o jec s. .^g. j^^^ youth and inexperience for so important and
responsible a position. He consented, however, to
take the position of assistant pastor, should he be de-
sired to do so, accepting as his leader whomever Con-
ference might appoint.
There was a difficulty, however, in the adoption of
this plan, as hitherto the society had only supported
one preacher. This objection was overcome by his
old friend, Mr. Rabbitts, who had followed him into
the New Connexion, and who now offered to pay the
salary of a second pastor, provided that Mr. Booth
was appointed to the post. To this arrangement the
Conference subsequently agreed.
His first But during the interval an event had occurred
East End. which is deserving of special notice. This was Mr.
Booth's first visit to the East End of London, where
the New Connexion had maintained for many years
a small cause, and where he was destined eleven
years later to establish the foundations of a world-
wide movement. The following entry from his jour-
nal will be read with more than ordinary interest in
the light of subsequent history :
His jour- "Sunday, March 19th, 1854. — Left home at 10 o'clock for
mil. Watney Street. Felt much sympathy for the poor neglected
inhabitants of Wapping, and its neighbourhood, as I walked
down the filthy streets and beheld the wretchedness and
wickedness of its people. Reached Bethesda Chapel, and
LONDON.
163
1854.
Age 25.
found a nice little congregation, who seemed to hear the word
of the Lord gladly. At night a good congregation. Felt much
power in preaching. The people wept and listened with much
avidity. Commenced or rather continued the meeting by
holding a prayer-meeting. All, or nearly all, stayed. Gave
an invitation to those who were decided to serve the Lord to
come forward and many came — fifteen in all — of whom four-
teen professed to find Jesus, and went home happy in His
love. Many of these were very interesting cases. All en-
gaged were much blessed. Tired and weary, I reached home
soon after 11 o'clock."
In May there is another entry :
" At Watney Street I held a week's special services, preach-
ing every night. Very many gave their hearts to God. I
never knew a work more apparently satisfactory in proportion
to its extent. Some most precious cases I have beheld, and
I thank God for them. The people appear very happy and
united. God bless and keep them ! "
Referring to the same meetings in one of his let-
ters, Mr. Booth says:
" We had indeed a glorious day yesterday. Good congrega-
tion in the morning. In the afternoon we held a love -feast.
Seventeen spoke, and nearly all praised God for the day 1
came among them. Many of my spiritual children, with
streaming eyes and overflowing hearts, told us how God, for
Christ's sake, had made them happy.
" At night, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, we
had the place crammed every nook and corner, and in the
prayer-meeting we had near twenty penitents. Mr. Atkin-
son's daughter and Mr. Gould, her intended husband, came
forward and with many tears and prayers sought and fotmd
mercy. Two black women came, and altogether it was a
good night."
Although it had been impossible for Dr. Cooke or j^^ce'pted
any of his influential friends to pledge the Conference ^^ tj^_
to accept Mr. Booth's candidature, nevertheless it "ice.
had been a foregone conclusion that they would read-
A pros-
j)erous be'
ginning.
164
MRS. BOOTH.
1854,
Age 25.
ily extend to him the right hand of fellowship
promised by them to the Reformers in general at
their last annual gathering. Still Mr. Booth, and even
Miss Mumford, were scarcely prepared for the hearty
and unanimous manner in which they were received,
and for the special favour granted to them in the
privilege of receiving permission to marry, at the
end of twelve months, instead of having to wait, as
was generally the rule, for the expiry of the four
years of probation that must elapse before he could
be formally ordained as a minister of the church.
In announcing this news to Miss Mumford, Mr.
Booth writes;
Not much
elated.
" I snatch a moment to say that a letter has just come
to hand from Mr. Cooke, stating that I have been unanimously
received by the Conference. This is very good, but for some
unaccountable reason, I do not feel at all grateful, neither
does it all elate me ! "
Miss
Mum-
ford''s
feelings.
Her up-
permost
desire.
To this letter Miss Mumford replies as follows :
" Your letter this morning filled my heart with gratitude
and my mouth with praise. I am thankful beyond measure
for the favourable reception and kind consideration you have
met with from the Conference, and I can only account for
your ingratitude on the ground you once gave me, namely,
that blessings in possession seem to lose half their value. This
is an unfortunate circumstance, but I think in this matter you
ought to be grateful, when you look at the past and contem-
plate the future. However, I am. This comes to me as the
answer of too many prayers, the result of too much self-sacri-
fice, the end of too much anxiety, and the crowning of too
many hopes, not to be appreciated ; and my soul does praise
God. You may think me enthusiastic. But your position is
now fixed as a minister of Christ, and your only concern will
be to labour for God and souls.
" I saw that in all probability you might toil the best part
of your life and then, after all, have to turn to business for your
support. But now, for life you are to be a teacher of Christ's
LONDON.
165
1854.
Age 25.
A fresh
start.
glorious gospel, and I am sure the uppermost desire of my
soul is that you may be a holy and successful one. May God
afresh baptise you with His love, and make you indeed a
minister of the Spirit !
" Oh, to begin anew, to give up all, and to live right in the
glory ! Shall we ? Can we dare do otherwise with the light
and influence God has given us ? God forbid that we should
provoke the eyes of His holiness by our indifference and luke-
warmness and inconsistency ! The Lord help me and t/iee to
live, so that our hearts condemn us not, for then shall we
have confidence toward God, that whatsoever we shall ask of
Him (even to making us instrumental in saving thousands of
precious souls) He will do it for us. Amen ! "
On the inside of the envelope, Miss Mumford adds
the following quotation :
"Not to understand a treasure's worth
Till time hath stole away the slighted good
Is cause of half the misery we feel,
And makes the world the wilderness it is."
Previous to entering upon his London appointment
Mr. Booth paid a short visit to Caistor, with a view to
benefiting his health, which was a good deal run down.
But no sooner was it known by his old friends and
converts that he was in the place, than meetings were
planned which he could not refuse to conduct, so that
at the conclusion of his visit he writes that in future
he would arrange his rest in a place where he was not
quite so well known. At the same time his reception
was such as to gratify his heart. Although his pre-
vious visits to the town had been so brief, the results
had been both powerful and permanent. He writes
to Miss Mumford:
" Mv reception has been exceedingly pleasing. Even the a hearty
children laugh and dance and sing at my commg. and eyes
sparkle and tongues falter in uttering my welcome. Yester-
day I had heavy work. Chapel crowded. Enthusiasm
Another
visit to
Caistor.
1 66
MRS. BOOTH.
1854,
Age 25.
A crash-
ing
prayer-
meeting.
Miss
Mum-
ford^ s
sermon.
Some
Tnore
wanted.
ran very high. Feeling overpowering, and yet not the
crash we expected. My prospects for usefulness seem to be
unbounded. But God knows best, and where He wants me
there He can send me. The people love me to distraction, and
are ready to tear me to pieces to have me at their homes. A
large party was invited to meet' me."
Two days later he adds :
" Yesterday I preached to crowded congregations, and we
had a crashing prayer-meeting. Some splendid cases. I am
more than ever attached to the people. They are thorough-
going folks. Jifsf my sort. I love them dearly, and shall stand
by them and help them when I can.
" I have just taken hold of that sketch you sent me on 'Be
not deceived, ' and am about to make a full sermon upon it. I
like it much. It is admirable. I want you to write some
short articles for our magazine. Begin one and get it done
by the time I come up. It will do you a world of good. I am
sure you can do it. I will look them over and send them to
the editor.
" I want a sermon on the Flood, one on Jonah, and one on
the Judgment. Send me some bare thoughts; some clear,
startling outline. Nothing moves people like the terrific.
They must have hell-fire flashed before their faces, or they
will not move. Last night I preached a sermon on Christ
weeping over sinners, and only one came forward, although
several confessed to much holy feeling and influence. When
I preached about the harvest and the wicked being turned
away, numbers came. We must have that kind of truth
which will move sinners.
~ " I have written by this post to Dr. Cooke. I tell him that
I come in love 7vit/i no half-measures, and I am determined to
seek success. I am doing better in my soul. Am resolved
to live near to God, and put confidence in Him. Let us live
for Heaven ! "
Unsatis-
fied.
Summing up this visit to Caistor, in his journal
Mr. Booth remarks:
" Nearly all my spiritual children stand firm in the faith. All
glory to God! Preached eight sermons and attended a public
LONDON. 167
meeting. I trust that during my visit some good has been 1854,
done. Near thirty profess to have found peace, but still the ^Z^ 25.
work has not been up to my expectations."
On returning to London, Mr. Booth threw himself ^^tations'
heart and soul into his new work as assistant pastor
to the Rev. P. T. Gilton. His fame as a revivalist
had now spread to distant places, and frequent invi-
tations were received for him to hold special services.
Whilst most of these were declined withotit further
consideration, several were of such a pressing nature,
and were so strongly backed by influential friends,
that he scarcely knew what to reply. Coming as they
did from New Connexion congregations, it was diffi-
cult to return a refusal.
Miss Mumford hailed the news of each advance Miss
with joy. She had from the first entertained an un- ford's
bounded confidence in Mr. Booth's ability, and felt •^°^"
that all he needed was an opportunity to enable him
to occupy, with glory to God and credit to himself, a
far higher position of usefulness than any that he had
hitherto held.
" Bless you ! Bless you !" she writes. " Your note has, like A stirring
'joy's seraphic fingers,' touched the tenderest chords in my ^«<*«''-
heart, and what I write is but like the trembling echoes of a
distant harp. If you were /lere, I would pour out the full strain
into your bosom and press you to my heart. God is too
good ! I feel happier than I have done for months. You will
think me extravagant. Well, bless God. JJe made me so.
Yes, we shall, I believe it, be very happy.
" Do I remember ? Yes, I remember «//, all that has bound
us together. All the bright and happy, as well as the clouded
and sorrowful of our fellowship. Nothing relating to you,
can time or place erase from my memory. Your words, your
looks, your actions, even the most trivial and incidental, come
up before me as fresh as life. If I meet a child called William,
I am more interested in him than any other. Bless you!
i68
MRS. BOOTH.
1854,
Age 25.
Keep your spirits up and hope much for the future. God
lives and loves us, and we shall be one in Him, loving each
other as Christ has loved us.
Her visit
to Burn-
hain.
"Thus by communion our delight shall grow !
Thus streams of mingled bliss swell higher as they flow !
- - Thus angels mix their flames and more divinely glow !"
During the autumn of 1854, Miss Mumford paid a
long promised visit to a friend at Burnham, in Essex.
There is a little incident connected with this trip
worthy of reference. She was persuaded to attend an
Irvingite Chapel, in the vicinity, for the purpose of
seeing and hearing one of their "angels." She gives
the following characteristic summary of her impres-
sions :
The
Irvingites
" Burnham contains about seventeen or eighteen hundred
inhabitants. It has a very old church, a Wesleyan chapel, a
Baptist chapel, a Calvinist chapel, a Chapel of Ease, and an
Irvingite chapel. To the last of these a party of us went last
Sunday evening, to hear one of the travelling 'angels' belong-
ing to their denomination. Of all the mystery I ever listened
to or conceived possible, it excelled! It was indeed beyond
my comprehension, or that of anybody else ! I wish you had
been there, though I hardly think you would have been able
to sit it through. It was all I could endure to see the people
gulled in such a way. Poor things ! What need there is for
effort and energy, for real religion and common sense."
Perhaps one of the most valuable and clearly
marked features of Miss Mumford's character washer
capacity for discerning spirits. She was never long
in coming to a conclusion, and was seldom mistaken
in her judgments. While she never hesitated to
denounce anything like lukewarmness in religion, she
Luke- was equally careful to guard against fanaticism, be-
warmness j^g^jj^g ^.j-^^^^ ^^le latter was almost as injurious to the
aticism. (^g^^gg Qf chi-ist as the former, and arguing that when
Capacity
for dis-
cerning
sjnrits.
LONDON. 169
the devil could not persuade people to hold back from 1854,
doing their duty, he would tempt them to discredit ^^ ^^"
God's work by going too far. The common curse of
modern Christianity doubtless consists in whittling
away the Gospel, and lowering ths wStandard of right-
eousness. Nevertheless she held that there was a
noble but misguided minority who erred in the op-
posite direction. By exaggerating certain aspects of
the truth, by magnifying to the exclusion of all else
some favoured hobby, or by fixing for the multitude
a standard that was possible only for the few, she
believed that needless stumbling-blocks were cast in
the path of multitudes, and that the most sincere and
devoted were often tempted to desert the substance
of religion for its shadow, the pursuit of righteous-
ness for that of a fugitive ideal which either could not
be grasped at all, or the possession of which was of
no profit to the would-be possessor or to the world
at large.
This faculty of discernment was of infinite value a mental
'iTLstiiyict'
to her in helping to shape the course of the religious
movement with which her name must ever remain
so intimately connected. New and unforeseen de-
velopments were perpetually occurring, which required
to be handled with combined promptness and dis-
cretion. At these decisive epochs, Mr. Booth gladly
availed himself of the prophetic instinct, which, while
unbending in its demand for uttermost devotion, was
equally rigid in its rejection of the unwise and need-
lessly extreme. Like a carrier pigeon, she would
arise, as it were, at such emergencies into the air,
circle a few times round the debated point, and then,
having taken her bearings, would arrive at her con-
clusions with a speed and directness which seemed
nothing short of a mental miracle.
lyo MBS. BOOTH.
i8s4, In another of her letters from Burnham, there is a
^^ ^^' charming descriptive passage:
A charm- " n jg truly delightful here now at night. The lovely moon
cription. throws her silvery beams on the bosom of a beautifully tran-
quil river. All around is serene and silent. The breeze is
just sufficient to fan the water into gentle ripplets. The boats
and skiffs repose on its surface as if weary with the day's en-
gagements. Altogether it reminds one of Heaven. I wish
you could see it just now. It would stir the old poetic fire in
father's soul, and warm mother's heart with admiration and
devotion I All nature, vocal and mute, points upwards. And
the most unsophisticated soul 7;iusf feel the power of its testi-
mony, and the being and goodness of the Christian's God. I
love to gaze on these dear foot-marks of Jehovah. It does
one good sometimes as much in soul as in body. I don't
know what effect the majestic in nature would have upon me.
But such a scene as this stirs strange feelings and touches
chords which thrill and vibrate through my whole being.
" Be happy about me. God lives, and I feel safe in His hands.
Let us try to live according to our professed belief, and be
careful for nothing. Bless you !
" Good-bye, and believe me as ever, your own loving
"Catherine."
CHAPTER XVII.
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PUBLISHED ARTICLE.
1854.
The earliest extant publication from Miss Mum- Herear-
ford's pen is an article for the Nfzv Connexion Mag- ncation.
azine on the best means for retaining new converts.
It contains probably her first public utterance on the
important question of female ministry. Indeed, the
concluding portion is almost prophetical. Forty
years ago she raised a warning voice as to the im-
possibility of rearing young converts in a worldly
church, and before her life-work was completed she had
the joy of helping to establish a universal nursery for
souls, in which the rules she thus early laid down
should be carried into practice with a literalness that
she could hardly have hoped for, and with a success
that proved their value. Forty years ago she proph- ^^^J^^P;
esied that there were hidden Lydias in the church. ''^^'^^'^''-
Five years later she stepped forward as one of them
herself, and she lived to be surrounded by tens of
thousands of women whose lips she had unsealed,
whose timidity she had overcome, whose rights she
had defended, and whose ability to preach the Gospel
she had proved by their abundant and unqualified
success and indubitable inspiration.
In this early effort there is reflected the ripeness
of her later years. The keen common sense, the
lucid logic, the grasp of details, the inimitable com-
mand of language, the originality of ideas, and the
close personal application, are almost as plainly im-
171
1/2
MRS. BOOTH.
1854,
Age 25.
printed on this her earliest effort as on her last. But
the following lines will speak for themselves :
The best
means for
keeping
new con-
verts.
Tracing
an anal-
ogy.
Congenial
aliment.
"The Editor, Methodist N civ Connexion Magazine.
"Dear Sir: — The following few thoughts were
suggested by the perusal of your question relative to
the best means of retaining the new converts brought
in during the late revivals ; and as I feel deeply inter-
ested in this important subject, I venture to transmit
them to you, to be made use of or not, as your judg-
ment dictates.
" I am fond of tracing the analogy which in many
instances exists between the economy of the natural
and spiritual worlds, and I think to all who love and
seek out the ways of the Lord, this must be an ever
interesting and profitable exercise. I think, too, there
are truths and principles of extensive application and
great practical importance often deducible from it.
When considering your question, it suggested an-
other, namely: What are the conditions indispensa-
ble to the preservation and growth of the natural
babe? And the following immediately occurred to
me: — ist. An adequate supply of congenial aliment.
2d. A pure and invigorating atmosphere. 3d. A care-
ful cleansing away of all impurities. And 4th. Free-
dom from undue restraint in the exercise of its facul-
ties. Between these conditions and those necessary
to the preservation and progress of spiritual life, there
appears to me a striking and beautiful analogy.
" The first and most important want of the babe in
Christ is unquestionably congenial aliment ; it needs
to be fed with 'the sincere milk of the Word.' De-
prived of this, there is no chance of life, to say noth-
ing of growth. How important, then, that the char-
acter of the ministry should be suited to the wants
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST ARTICLE. I73
of a new-born soul, ' the sincere milk of the Word, ' that ^^^^54.
which is felt to be real Words without heart will
chill the very life-current of a young believer. It
must be that which has been tasted and handled of
the Word of Life. The spiritual babe will soon pine
away under mere theoretical teaching. It must be Jf^^^^;;^;-
sustaining, and in order to this the milk must be ing.
pure, unmixed with either diluting or deleterious doc-
trines. It must be congenial to the cravings of a
spiritual appetite, and capable of being assimilated by
a spiritual nature. It must be direct and practical.
The babe, under its teachings, must learn how to walk
in all the ordinances and statutes of the Lord blame-
less how to apply the principles of action laid down
in His Word to the daily occurrences of life, how to
resist temptation and overcome the world. And I
think, without an adequate supply of such spiritual
food, the first condition of its preservation and pro-
gress will not be fulfilled.
"Then comes the second scarcely less important J^^^^^^^-^
condition — a pure and invigorating atmosphere. Not
more surely will the sprightly infant born in some
pent-up garret, which for generations has been im-
pregnable to the pure air of heaven, pine and die,
than will the spiritual babe introduced into the death-
charged atmosphere of some churches. So far from
its being a matter of surprise that so many converts
relapse into spiritual death, it appears to me a far
greater wonder that so many survive under the
influence of the noxious atmosphere into which they
are often forced.
" Let the spiritual infant, born amidst the genial \ft'^,^^^^l'f
influences of a genuine revival, and just awakened to
a sense of the importance and reality of eternal
things, be transplanted to a church in which the tide
ness.
174 MFS. BOOTH.
1854, of holy feeling has been rolled back by a flood of
"^^ worldliness, formality, and indifference, and what a
shock his spiritual nature must sustain ! Nay, sup-
pose him introduced into some class-meeting where
there are old professors of ten, twelve, or twenty years'
standing, who ought to be far ahead of him in the joy
and strength of the Lord, but whose everlasting com-
plaint is 'my leanness, my leanness,' and this always
:he key of in the same key — the key of doubt, who can estimate
the freezing, paralysing effects of such an atmosphere?
What can be expected but misgiving, anxiety, and
relaxation in duty? Oh, if the Church would indeed
be the nursery of the future kings and priests of her
God, she must awake up from her lethargy and create
an atmosphere of warm and holy feeling, pure and
unfeigned love, incessant and prevailing prayer, and
active untiring effort for souls ! Then may she hope
that the converts born under special outpourings of
the Spirit will grow and thrive, and in due time ar-
rive at the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.
Cleansing " The third Condition of physical life and health
purities ^^ ^^® clcausing away of impurities. The infant,
though truly a living and healthy child, is too feeble
and ignorant to remove what would be injurious to
itself and render it offensive to others, and therefore
some maternal and loving hand must come to its help.
Is there no analogy in this respect between the natu-
ral and spiritual babe? Has the latter no injurious
habits to be pointed out and overcome ; no false views
to be corrected ; no mistaken conduct to be rectified ;
no unholy tendency to be subdued ; and is it not gen-
erally too feeble and ignorant to understand its errors
and to correct them? Then does it not need the
careful pruning of experienced and loving Christians,
the tender watchfulness of fathers and mothers in
PX-
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST ARTICLE. 175
Christ, that its life be not sacrificed or its spiritual 1854,
nature depressed? ^^ ^^
" It is as great a mistake to expect perfection in jVo« to
the spiritual babe as it would be to expect maturity of p^r/ec-
strength and intellect in the natural. If indeed it „/«('««%
were born perfect, of what force the injunction, ' Go on
to perfection!' and why the precaution to give milk
unto babes rather than strong meat? There may be
heterogeneous substances to be cleansed away, and
some unseemly blemishes to be removed, where the
germ of true spiritual life has been deposited. But let
not nursing fathers and mothers be discouraged on
that account. Rather let them learn of the heavenly
husbandman how to hasten the pruning process and
develop the hidden life.
" There is yet another condition in which the anal- Freedom
ogy between the natural and spiritual seems even rf^f" ^T'
more striking and complete, namely, that of freedom «^*'«*'^<-
from undue restraint in the use of the faculties.
Thank Heaven, the days of ignorance with reference
to the operation of natural law are fast passing away,
and mothers and nurses are learning that health and
vigour are attendants on freedom and exercise.
Would that the church generally would make, and act
upon, the same discovery.
" What can be a more fatal cause of religious de- inactivity
clension than inactivity? And if religion consists in of decline.
doing the will of God, what an anomaly is an inactive
Christian ! Yet there are multitudes in this our day
professing to be Christians, who do absolutely nothing
for the salvation of souls, or the glory of God. Men
and women attempt to serve God by proxy, as though
paying another for the employment of his talent were
all the same as improving their own ; as though God
did not demand, and the world need, the exertion of
1/6 MRS. BOOTH.
1854, every man's energies and the exhibition of every
^^ ^^' light which God has kindled. The babe in Christ
must be made to feel his individual untransferable
responsibility. He must be taught that labour is the
law of life, spiritual as well as natural, and that to in-
crease in wisdom and stature and in favour with God,
he 'must be about his Father's business.' The ca-
pacity of every young convert, male and female,
should be ascertained, and a suitable sphere provided
for its development.
Women's "Methodism, beyond almost any other system, has
minis ry. ^q^sq^^^^^q^ ^j^g importance of this principle, and to this
fact doubtless owes much of its past success ; but has
it not in some measure degenerated in this respect, at
least with regard to its employment of female talent?
Reiuc- There seems in many societies a growing disinclina-
%ray!'^ tion among the female members to engage in prayer,
speak in love feasts, band meetings, or in any manner
bear testimony for their Lord, or to the power of His
grace. And this false God-dishonouring timidity is
but too fatally pandered to by the church, as if God
had given any talent to be hidden in a napkin, or
as if the church and the world needed not the employ-
ment of all.
Theswad- " Why should the swaddling-bands of blind custom,
bands of which in Wesley's days were so triumphantly broken,
and with such glorious results thrown to the moles
and the bats, be again wrapped round the female dis-
ciples of the Lord Jesus? Where are the Mrs. Fletch-
ers and Mrs. Rogers of our churches now, with their
numerous and healthy spiritual progeny? And yet
who can doubt that equal power in prayer and the
germ of equal usefulness of life exist in many a
Hidden Lydia's heart, smothered and kept back though it may
Lydias. . ,
be? I believe it is impossible to estimate the extent
MJ^S. BOOTH- S FIRST ARTICLE.
177
of the church's loss, where prejudice and custom are
allowed to render the outpouring of God's Spirit upon
His handmaidens null and void. But it is a signifi-
cant fact that in the most cold, formal, and worldly
churches of the day we find least of female agency.
" I would warn our societies against drifting into false
notions on this subject. Let the female converts be
not only allowed to use their newly awakened facul-
ties, but positively encouraged to exercise and improve
them. Let them be taught their obligations to work
themselves in the vineyard of the Lord, and made to
feel that the plea of bashfulness, or custom, will not
excuse them to Him Who has put such honour on
them, and Who, last at the cross and first at the sep-
ulchre, was attended by women, who so far overcame
bashfulness as to testify their love for Him before a
taunting multitude, and who so far disregarded cus-
tom that when all (even fellow-disciples) forsook Him
and fled, they remained faithful.
" Oh that the Church would excite its female mem-
bers to emulate their zeal and remove all undue
restraint to its development ! Then, when every
member, male and female, is at work, exercising
their spiritual faculties, using the talents God has
given them on purpose to be used, then will our Zion
become a praise in the whole earth, and men shall
flock to it as doves to their windows.
" Yours faithfully,
"C. M ."
1854,
Age 25.
A timely
tvarning.
How to
succeed.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LONDON — GUERNSEY. 1854-5
A nation LONDON has always been regarded by preachers as
agnation, an extremely difficult field, and many who have been
successful elsewhere have failed completely when
they have sought to move the shrewdly-intelligent
and worldly-wise heart of Cockneydom. It is scarcely
too much to say that the vast metropolis is a nation
within a nation. The thoroughbred Londoner is a
man sui generis. For needle-like acuteness, for ready
repartee, for unabashed self-confidence, for unguUi-
bility — if we may coin the word — he presents the very
antipodes of the simple-minded country yokel. In-
deed, in these respects it would be hard to match him
in the world. Perhaps the struggle for existence, the
ceaseless roar of traffic, and the perpetual contact with
keen intellects, all help towards the formation of such
characteristics, which serve considerably to counteract
the preacher's toil.
The mod- The lowest classes are absorbed in the scramble for
Lazarus, the crumbs which fall from the rich man's table. One
Lazarus is bad and sad enough ; but here are hundreds
of thousands lying at Dives' door, whose destitution
is even more miserable than that of their Eastern
counterpart. Nay, they are not allowed to lie in so
comfortable a place. The Dives of the nineteenth
century cannot tolerate so painful a sight. The baton
of the policeman, and, if needs be, the bayonet of the
soldier, must sweep such refuse as far as possible from
178
LONDON— GUERNSEY.
179
his gaze, into the dens and alleys where it lies seeth-
ing for a time, awaiting the ghastly day of resurrec-
tion and retribution. To go to them with a loaf in
one hand appears as necessary as to carry the Gospel
in the other. "Give ye them to eat," seems as defin-
itely commanded for their bodies as it is for their
souls. And yet, whence shall any buy bread for such
a multitude?
And then there are the labouring classes, who live
upon the borders of this human pandemonium, this
earthly purgatory, this out-Hadesed Hades, and who
are perpetually supplying the fuel for its flames.
The conditions of society have made their burdens
so grievous, their hours of toil so long, their means
of subsistence so scanty, that they have but little time
and opportunity to provide for the interests of their
souls, so absorbed are they in caring for their bodies.
Their worse than Egyptian taskmasters bid them to
make bricks without straw, and sacrifice their health
and families without even the occasional shelter of a
land of Goshen, as a hard earned recompense for their
toil. The modern Rehoboam answers the universal
cry of Israel for concessions by declaring that his lit-
tle finger shall be thicker than his father's loins, and
by substituting a scourge of scorpions for his father's
thongs. And when the busman, the tram conductor,
the shop-girl venture to ventilate their grievances
and to complain against their Gethsemane of toil, they
are threatened, if one may reverently say it, with the
Calvary of the Law! How hard, how almost impos-
sible, must it be then to reach such with the message
of salvation, unless their Moses can at the same time
proffer them some prospect of escape from bondage !
The middle classes have more leisure, it is true,
but perhaps even less inclination, for the vital godli-
1854,
Age 25.
The la-
bouring
classes.
Israel i)\
The mod-
ern Reho-
boam.
The Cal-
vary of
the Law.
The lei-
sured
class.
i8o MRS. BOOTH.
1854, ness which would check them in their wild pursuit of
^^ ^^* wealth, or force upon them a life of self-control and
sacrifice. Those who are not engulfed in the absorb-
ing- worship of Mammon are mostly enthralled by the
fascinating enchantments of pleasure. And between
the two there is but little room or desire for the ser-
vice of God. A press that largely banishes religion
from its columns caters for a public who largely ban-
ish God from their thoughts and affections.
The gold And the higfher we rise in the social scale the more
fever. ^
is this experience intensified. The gold fever grows
worse. The pulse beats faster. The temperature
increases. Each fresh draught, instead of quenching
the thirst, maddens the victim, who may well cry out —
"Water, water, everywhere,
But not a drop to drink ! "
The gold that perishes can no more satisfy his im-
mortal soul than could the salt waters of the ocean
the shipwrecked mariner upon his raft. And yet
there seems no limit to the cursed love of gold, the
'' auri sacra fames'" oi the old Roman poet. Well
might his words be applied to our modern Rome :
"'Get money, money' — is the cry!
Honestly — if you can ;
If not, no matter how, or why !
'Tis money makes the man ! "
The imr- And thosc who are not votaries of wealth, who do
pleasure, not make piety and true nobility of character play
second fiddle to gold {I'irtus post nunwtos), are in an
exaggerated degree the devotees of pleasure and the
victims of fashion.
" Faster whirls the giddy dance !
Music soft and song
With their fatal spell entrance,
Sweeping them along;
LONDON — GUERNSEY. i8i
" Quaff ye now your Lethe-draught ; 1854
Soon the charm shall break ! Age 25.
Death thy doomed soul shall waft
To the fiery lake ! "
It may be said that the above remarks apply to London a
other cities and districts besides London. This is true, ''"'''^ ^°^^'
but surely in a less degree. At least London offers
an exaggerated exemplification of them, and at the
time of which we write it had been the subject of
but few revivals, and had comparatively foiled the
efforts of many godly labourers. The fact therefore
that Mr. Booth's Spalding successes were repeated in
London, and this at a period when the New Connex-
ion cause there was low and struggling, soon attracted
the notice of other circuits where circumstances were
more favourable for the expectation of a revival.
If any good thing could come out of this Jerusalem,
there was certainly great hope for the outlying Gali-
lees and Bethlehems. We have already referred to
the successful meetings in the East End. We cull
a few further extracts from Mr. Booth's journal, as
to his successes at the other chapels :
"May 28th, 1854, Sunday. — Preached in the morning at con-
Albany Road. Some little liberty in urging upon the people of Jf^'l^^f
God the necessity of labouring for the salvation of souls.
Night, at Brunswick Street Chapel. Good congregation. Power
in speaking. Afterwards the communion rail was crowded
with penitents. Some precious cases. To God be all the glory !
"Sunday, September loth, 1854. — I resumed my labours at
the New Chapel. Congregations very good. At night we
had a glorious prayer meeting and a precious influence.
Twelve penitents came forward and sought the Lord, and I
trust many found Him."
There is also an interesting reference to Mr. Booth's
London successes in a letter to the Neta Connexion
Magazine from Mr. Josiah Bates, who was perhaps
success.
1 82 MRS. BOOTH.
1854, the most influential lay member of the organisation
in London. He writes as follows:
An oMt- " My dear Sir : — It affords me peculiar pleasure to inform
sidefs yQ^ ^i^a^^- q^j- cause in this place continues to prosper.
opinion. ■' ^ r- I-
" I regard the appointment of the Rev. W. Booth to this cir-
cuit as providential. He is a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed. Many will have cause to bless God to all eternity
that he was ever sent among us. I sincerely hope that it
may please God to continue his health and sustain him under
the arduous labours in which he is constantly engaged.
Would to God we had a host of such men in addition to our
present staff of ministers ! In that case we should soon, as a
community, double our present numbers. I hope the next
Conference will leave Mr. Booth without a fixed circuit, so
that he may go through the Connexion as an evangelist; and
I doubt not, if he retain his piety and dependence on the
Divine Spirit, God will abundantly own his labours in every
circuit he may visit.
" My present object, however, is to inform you that during
the present month we have had a fortnight's consecutive re-
vival services conducted by Mr. Booth. A short but solemn
and pointed address was printed and circulated extensively
in the district. It may be said of the entire series of meet-
ings that they were indeed times of refreshing, and the only
regret felt at the close was that they had terminated. The
results have been most blessed and satisfactory. About thirty
members have been added and the older members have also
been quickened. I believe the good effect of these services
will be found after many days.
" Yours truly,
"JosiAH Bates."
Aweehin The appeals fcr Mr. Booth's services from other
Bristol, (jjgi^j-icj^s in the Connexion now so increased in num-
ber and importunity, that they could no longer be
disregarded. The first circuit he visited was Bristol,
where he held a week's meetings, with the result that
about fourteen professed salvation, ten of whom were
added to the society.
LONDON — GUERNSEY. 183
Mr. Booth's next evangelistic meetings were held 1854,
in Guernsey. His journal and letters contain some ^^ ^^*
interesting references to them, and the remarkable a trip to
results achieved doubtless helped to decide the nature ^^-^^^^y-
of his work during the next eleven years. Indeed
they may be said to have left an everlasting mark on
the subsequent labours of both himself and Mrs.
Booth.
"October i6th, 1854. — In compliance with an invitation Doubts
from the New Connexion Church in Guernsey, I left town this '^*^'^' ^^iff^'
culties
evening. Prior to starting, the object and probable result of
my visit had been discussed by friends in London. Various
opinions were entertained and different conjectures raised as
to the probable result. Some thought that my visit would be
promotive of the salvation of souls and the highest well-being
of the church, and some thought very differently. It was
stated that they were a proud, intellectual and wealthy peo-
ple, cold and formal, the very opposite of what I should de-
sire. Some even went so far as to intimate that my visit
would be useless and that the people would turn away from
my preaching and refuse to regard it. However, I left Lon-
don conscious of my supreme aim and desire being the glory
of God and the salvation of sinners, and depending upon Him
and the power of His Spirit for success."
Mr. Booth subsequently adds:
" I reached Guernsey in safety by the mercy of God, and
was soon lodged in the family of Mr. John Ozanne, Mount
Durant.
" In the evening I attended the prayer-meeting. The night a dis-
was a stormy one. At intervals the rain descended in tor- ^oiiraging
rents. I expected, of course, a tolerable attendance. I had nhuj.
come 200 miles, was a stranger, had come on purpose to pro-
mote a work which demanded prayer. When I arrived four
persons only were present, besides myself and the chapel-
keeper! It is true four or five others had been there, had
waited a quarter of an hour, and had then gone quietly home
instead of staying to pour out their hearts for a mighty influ-
ence, which should arouse and quicken the slumbering church.
1 84
MRS. BOOTH.
1854,
Age 25.
Thi- fide
tufns.
Opening
his corn-
He des-
eribes the
meetings.
We remained and pleaded with Heaven. I wrestled in prayer.
God heard, and the results will show how gloriously He an-
swered our petition.
" The following - morning I visited, in company with my
host, many of the leading members of the church, and I spoke
with them kindly and affectionately, relative to the work of
God, words of reproof and invitation, which I have every
reason to believe brought forth much fruit.
" As I was walking up one street, a young lady in deep
mourning was coming along. 'There,' said the gentleman
with me, 'that young person has lost her mother. She is one
of our singers. ' And he immediately introduced me to her.
I spoke to her about her soul, and the tears welled up in her
eyes, and as I left her I remarked to Mr. Ozanne that she
would be among the first fruits of the revival. That night
she led the way to the communion-rail, and I afterwards re-
ceived a letter from her thanking me and stating that her
sister, her three cousins, and a friend had all found peace with
God during the services.
" That night I opened my commission from the pulpit, and
if ever I tried to preach pointedly and plainly, it was that
night. Four penitents came forward.
" And now came the struggle. Some approved my preach-
ing, but did not like my plans in the prayer-meeting ; some, I
suppose, disapproved of everything. Some looked cold. Some
wished me success, but held aloof and would not lend a hand.
Nevertheless I continued to pray and believe and labour."
Describing the meetings, Mr. Booth writes to Miss
Mumford as follows:
Mount Durant, Guernsey, 17th Oct., 1854.
"My Dearest and Most Precious Love: — Last night I
preached my first sermon. The congregation was middling,
very respectable, stiff and quiet. I let off a few heavy guns
at the lazy formality so prevalent, and with some effect They
opened their eyes at some of the things I said.
"20th October. — My preaching is highly spoken of. The
Lord is working, and I trust that to-morrow we shall have a
crash — a glorious breakdown. Already the Lord has given
me some souls, but my anxious heart cries out for many more.
LONDON— G UERNSE V. 185
I cannot write about the natural beauties of the place. I have 1854
done nothing yet but sigh for and seek the salvation of its ^S^ 5-
inhabitants. The arrangements for the services were misera-
ble-not even a notice printed. And when they advertised
the anniversary sermons for to-morrow they never mentioned
the preaching afterwards. I asked the good brother who had
the thing under his control to put another line, but he said
he dare not without the consent of the leaders' meeting ! Poor
fellows! They will advertise for money, but are ashamed to
advertise for souls !
•• God bless you. Pray for me. Look for a fuller and com-
pleter manifestation of the Son of God, and believe me as
ever.
" Yours in betrothed and unalterable affection.
" William."
The entries in the jeurnal continue as follows:
" Sunday —Rose with a delightful sense of God's favor His jour-
and anticipating a good and successful day. In the morning «« •
the congregation was very good, and the word, I am convinced,
went with power to many hearts. At night the chapel was
crowded. It was their anniversary. The collections were
double in amount those of last year, and in the prayer-meet-
ing wonderful victory was ours. We took down about twenty- ^TWy-^
six names— some most interesting and glorious cases. Many tuken.
went away under deep conviction.
" Monday —Good news comes in on every hand. To-night,
although the weather is most unfavorable, the congregation
has been very good, and the prayer-meeting even more suc-
cessful than the one last night. Many very clear cases of con- Thirty-^^
version. About thirty-five penitents.
" Tuesday -The excitement increases. The congregation
was much larger and a great number of penitents came for-
'""^'"^Wednesday.- The chapel to-night has been packed-fuller
than it was on Sunday night-and the prayer-meeting vvas a
most glorious one. We did not conclude until 10:30. Very
many who had been seeking all the week found peace. _
" Thursday —To-night many went away unable to get into
the chapel. The aisles were crowded, and up to eleven
o'clock it was almost an impossibility to get them up to the
1 86 MRS. BOOTH.
1854, communion-rail, owing to the crush. We had near sixty
Age 25. penitents, many very clear cases, and I doubt not over sixty
Sixty pen- niore were in deep distress in different parts of the chapel.
itents. 'pj^g parting with the people was very affecting.
" Friday.- — I bade farewell to Guernsey. Many came down
ing fare- to the pier to wish me good-bye, and when the packet bore me
ivell. away and I caught the last glimpse of their waving 'hands and
handkerchiefs, I felt I had parted with many very dear
friends, and that I had bidden adieu to a fair spot, where I
had certainly passed one of the happiest fortnights of my
brief history."
Further On his Tetum from Guernsey, Mr. Booth received
pressing invitations to visit Longton and Hanley, in
the Staffordshire Potteries, at that time practically the
headquarters and chief stronghold of the New Con-
nexion. The undertaking appeared to him to be too
great and he declined to go. The chapel at Hanley
was said to be the largest in the United Kingdom —
some said in the world. Its superintendent, the Rev.
Mr. Mills, was the President of the Connexion. Mr.
Booth aro^ued that he was young, and that he had but
His 00- ° . . - 1 . . .
jections recently entered the denomination ; that his circuit
would suffer by his prolonged absence, and that these
irregular services would hinder him in preparing him-
self for the ordinary pastoral duties of the future.
But the President was not to be refused. Dr. Cooke,
Mr. Bates, and other friends backed up the invitation.
The circuit agreed to part with him for a month.
Perhaps they would have been less willing to do so
had they foreseen that he would return to them in his
ministerial capacity no more. The visit to the Potter-
Further i^s Capped Mr. Booth's previous successes and finally
successes, established his reputation as a revival preacher, the
calls for his services becoming now so numerous that
the question of his appointments was referred to the
Annual Committee, which transacted the business of
LONDON— G UERNSE V. 187
the Connexion between the sittings t)f the Conference. 1855,
It was decided by this committee that a substitute ^^ ^ '
should be provided to take Mr. Booth's place in the
London circuit, and that the next few months should
be devoted to holding evangelistic services.
To give anything like a complete account of these
meetings is at present impossible. Ample material
is available, but must be reserved for the future
chronicler of Mr. Booth's career. At present we
satisfy ourselves with a few extracts from his diary
which will suffice to throw a light on the subsequent
history of the subject of these memoirs. The double
" footprints on the sands of time" occasionally move
so closely together that in tracking the one we cannot
but observe the other.
"Sunday, January 7th, 1855.— An important day in the Fifty
annals of Zion Chapel. Longton. At night the chapel was ^^f'/Jf/^^Jf
comfortably filled, about 1,800 persons present. After the ser- ton.
mon, fifty precious souls cried for mercy. This gave all great
encouragement.
"Monday, January 8th, 1855.— The congregation to-night
has been excellent. Preached with much liberty, and Mr.
McCurdy intimated after the service that every sentence was
with great power. We had about thirty penitents. Many
very good cases.
"Thursday, nth.— The farewell. The chapel very full.
more so than on Sunday night. A grand and imposing spec-
tacle. How solemn the responsibility of the man who stands
up to address such crowds on the momentous topics of Time,
Eternity, Salvation, and Damnation. Lord, help me/ So I
prayed, and mighty were the results. We took down about J^.^^ ^^^^
sixty names this night, making a total of 260 during the nine ^-^^^^^^^^
days that I had stayed at Longton.
" Sunday, January 14th.— My first Sabbath at Hanley. It Hanley
has been a remarkable day and I have preached twice in per- chapel.
haps the largest chapel in the world. At night an imposing
congregation.
" I had much anxiety about visiting this place before leav-
i88
MJiS. BOOTH.
1855,
Age 26,
Four hun-
dred and
siortij
ncunes
taken.
Paying
for our
enjoy-
ments.
Heart-
yearn-
ings,
ing London, and many fears as to my fitness for so large a
building and so important a congregation. I was astonished
at the quietness of spirit with which I rose to address so large
a multitude, comparatively careless as to their mental criticism
of the messenger and absorbed in an earnest desire for the
salvation of the people.
"Wednesday, 24th. — Congregations increased. During the
fortYiight 460 names have been taken down, a very large num-
ber, but not many in proportion to the vast crowds who have
attended the meetings. Many glorious and wonderful cases
of conversion have transpired, and on the whole I cannot but
hope that the services have exercised a very salutary effect
on the society and neighbourhood."
During the following months up to the meeting of
the Conference in June, Mr. Booth conducted services
with similar results at Oldham, Mossley, Bradford,
Gateshead, and Manchester, returning to London
about the middle of May for his wedding. But before
proceeding to describe this event, we must conclude
the present chapter with an extract from a letter writ-
ten to him by Miss Mumford during this period, in
which she responds to a proposal for her to visit his
newly-made friends in Guernsey:
" Should the opportunity ever occur I shall not let so short
a voyage hinder me. I have no doubt I should be very ill,
but it would only be for a little while, and we usually have to
^ay for our enjoyments in this world. There is no rose here
without its thorn, and 1 never expect to be able to travel
much without fatigue and suffering. So if ever we are to en-
joy the beauties of nature together you must not mind a little
bother.
" I long to see you. Your letters do not satisfy the yearn-
ings of my heart. Perhaps they ought to. I wish it were
differently constituted. I might be much happier. But it will
be extravagant and enthusiastic in spite of all my schooling.
If ever I get to Heaven, what rapture shall I know ! What a
mercy it is that this is but the vestibule to a future existence,
that my poor soul may enjoy a glorious future, and realise
LONDON —GUERNSEY. 189
not only the perfection of all its powers, but the satisfaction 1855,
of its hitherto insatiable desires. I often anticipate the time Age 26.
when every jarring string shall be removed and all its tender
chords be susceptible only of blissful harmony. How sweet
to meet then, when our very hearts shall be open to each
other's gaze and no envious veil come between to hinder the
workings of each other's souls ! I believe that unions perfected
in Jesus on earth, will be in some peculiar sense recognised
and perpetuated in Heaven. But oh, to live for it! Will
you try? And help me also ?
" No, there is no fear of us loving each other too much. How The
can we love each other more than Christ has loved us? — and *^""^f*^"^^
this is the standard He has given. Indeed, this love will only
make us more lovable in His sight! What a precious thing is
the religion of Jesus! It makes our first duties our highest
happiness ! It has the promise of the life that now is, as well .
as of that which is to come. We will spend all our energies
in trying to persuade men to receive and practise it."
CHAPTER XIX.
THE WEDDING. 1855.
A strik. Compared with the principles and practice of the
^^ralt^ Salvation Army in later years, the wedding of Mr.
Booth and Miss Mumford presents a striking contrast.
Indeed, in the light of subsequent experience, they
have not scrupled to blame themselves for having
thrown away so unique a chance of influencing multi-
tudes by considering their personal predilections
rather than the highest interests of the kingdom.
They were now so well known both in the Connexion
and among the Reformers that the occasion might
easily have been utilised as a powerful fulcrum on the
hearts of the people.
Anoppor- There are certain important domestic events which,
ttiYl'tt'lJ
though strictly speaking of a private character, never-
theless appeal in an especial manner to the sympathy
of those who are outside the narrow family pale.
Under such circumstances the superabundance of joy
or sorrow may be said to burst the ordinary bounds
of stiff and cold decorum, and it has been the time-
honoured custom in all nations for relations, friends,
acquaintances, and even the public at large to rejoice
with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who
weep. If such a course be allowable and even laud-
able in the world at large, how much more should
this be the case v/ith those whose religious fellow-
ship binds them in the closest of bonds, not only for
time, but for eternity!
190
THE WEDDING.
191
There are some no doubt who deprecate this as-
sembling of ourselves together on such occasions,
and who would relegate all such demonstrations,
when they are of a religious nature, to some unseen
and speechless limbo. But this is to do violence to
human nature and to sacrifice some of the tenderest
links which bind together the entire fabric of so-
ciety. There are certain charms to the magic " Hey !
presto!" of which the mortal heart spontaneously
and involuntarily responds. They are few enough as
it is, and the onward march of civilisation tends to
diminish their ntimber and to substitute an artificial
and powerless condition of existence such as would
reduce the social structure to separated and cohe-
sionless atoms. We cannot throw aside these spells
without the danger of producing chaos, any more than
we can dispense with mortar in putting together the
bricks that compose our homes. Man is truly said to
be a gregarious animal, and those who would isolate
him, especially in the moments of his supreme joy or
sorrow, strive to do they know not what, and, in de-
claring war against his universal instinct, would, if
successful, inflict upon him an irreparable injury.
But these were lessons which were to be learnt in
later life. And so an event which was fraught with
consequences of everlasting importance to hundreds
of thousands of souls, was enacted in all the empty
quietude of a congregationless chapel. Mr. Booth
led his bride to the altar in the presence of none, save
her father, his sister, and the officiating minister.
And yet perhaps never has there been a wiser choice,
a more Heaven-approved union, than the one which
was thus undemonstratively celebrated by Dr.
Thomas, at the Stockwell New Chapel, on the i6th
June, 1855. And if happiness be judged, not merely
18SS.
Age 26.
Human
links.
A quiet
ivedding.
16th June,
1855.
192 MES. BOOTH.
1855, by the measure of joy personally experienced, but by
the amount imparted to others, then surely it may be
said that never were two hearts united with happier
results. " The joy of joys is the joy that joys in the
joy of others." This is the purest and most unselfish
form of happiness. Marriage too often degenerates
into the merest self-indulgence, with the inevitable
consequence that its charms decay as soon as it loses
the gloss of early courtship. But where personal in-
terests, though necessarily consulted, are subordi-
nated to the claims of God and humanity, the happi-
ness that ensues is both perfect and permanent.
An inter- And yet, while for some reasons we cannot but
side-Ught. I'^g^ct the loss of SO valuable an opportunity for
gathering the people together and for impressing
upon them the claims of God, the incident is valuable,
inasmuch as it throws an interesting side-light upon
the actual character of Mr. and Mrs. Booth. Far from
being the ardent popularity-hunters and publicity-
seekers which some suppose, it has been through life
their constant lamentation that the calls of duty de-
Theiriove privcd them of the domestic seclusion which they
%acy would Otherwise have coveted. Especially was this
the case with Mrs. Booth. Had she yielded to the
bent of her personal inclinations, she would have in-
finitely preferred the life of retirement which became
less and less possible in her subsequent .career, and
would have smuggled away her talents and buried
her opportunities in some secluded retreat, satisfied,
like so many, with having done no harm, while con-
scious of having accomplished but little good.
Talent- How Surprising it is that such a low standard of
^ ^^^' morality as is involved in this talent- hiding disposition
should satisfy the majority of mankind! Who can
doubt that, however congenial it may be to our natural
THE WEDDING. 193
love of ease, it is entirely foreign to that spirit of ^^^55,^
Christianity which was designed, if for anything at
all, to lift us out of the slough of selfishness, and to
plant the feeblest feet upon the rock of benevolence.
This at least was the gospel for which William and
Catherine Booth contended, and in resolutely dis-
regarding the natural barriers of reserve and timidity
which would so often have hindered them in the
prosecution of their life-enterprise, they were able to
unearth and consecrate to God's service the hitherto
dormant talents of tens of thousands.
Hence, when in later years the same opportunity ^o tur^
recurred in the marriage of their children, it was no
shallow thirst for show which prompted them to pur-
sue so opposite a course to that which they had
adopted at their own wedding. The opportunity of
impressing upon the world at large what marriage
might and ought to be was too valuable to be lost.
And the great fundamental principle prevailed of ^^I'^T
sacrificing personal preferences for the all-absorbing vrindpU.
claims of God's kingdom. The trade winds were
blowing too favourable a breeze for the fleet to lie
at anchor. It might be necessary at times to scud
under bare poles across stormy seas, or even to seek
for a while some sheltering haven, but that was no
reason for discarding opportunities so favourable,
some of which come but once in a lifetime and pass
away, if neglected, never to return.
Man's instinct is to imitate, and the example of a ^ ff^^^^^"
public wedding in which frivolity and extravagance frmnin^i
—those curses of society— were conspicuous only by uhiting.
their absence, who could overestimate? The picture
of a union in which there was joy without folly, and
in which the highest interests of God and man sup-
planted the whims of private caprice and the mer-
13
194
MJiS. BOOTH.
185s,
Age 26,
God's
purposes
often
born in
obscurity.
cenary motives of worldly wisdom, may well be
framed and exhibited for a few brief hours in such
a manner as to arrest the attention of even the most
careless passer-by. Mere display for its own sake is
as contemptible as a gilded frame without a picture.
To this the frameless picture of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's
wedding is indeed infinitely preferable. God's pur-
poses can afford at times to be born in obscurity.
Nay, the very gloom from which they emerge may
heighten the after effect.
The
threshold
of a new
life.
" 'Tis thus God often shapes His choicest plan
Far out of ken and reach of every man,
Then suddenly in daylight broad unfolds
His wisdom ! All the earth amazed beholds
And doth His goodness better understand,
Adores perforce His wonder-working hand !
Thus, in a bud, profusion of green leaves
And blossoms richly coloured close He weaves,
Forgetting not for bees the honey-drop.
Nor even there His matchless skill doth stop !
Perfumes that seem so delicate and rare.
And yet so strong their fragrance fills the air,
Like angel's breath, defying human skill,
Hid in that bud, encloses He at will.
Just when to outward eye no hope is left,
And of its last green leaf the tree's bereft,
He sends His workers — all at variance seem —
The rain, the dew, the wind, and the sunbeam —
And then, when all in turn their part have played,
Behold each twig with leaf and flower arrayed ! "
And now Catherine Booth found herself on the
threshold of the life of usefulness, which had consti-
tuted the subject of her girlhood's dreams and the
summit of her Christian aspirations. By her side
was the man of her heart's choice. The impetus
•which springs from unity of aim and purpose, was
now in the fullest sense her own. The position for
which, especially during the past three years, she
THE WEDDING. 195
had so diligently been preparing, was within her 1855,
grasp. She realised at once its opportunities and re- ^^^ ^^'
sponsibilities, and rose to meet them with unfailing
grace, dignity, and power.
There are some characters which appear to best f'hnr<y-
advantage at a distance. Courtship invests them with h',-<n- iZlk-
a false halo which enhances for a time their super- '"^ "^*
ficial attractions and conceals their defects, but which
disappears after the first few days of married life. A
celebrated painter is said to have silenced one of his
critics by explaining that his pictures were " not in-
tended to be smelt S' Looked at from a distance such
characters possess, like these pictures, a beauty which
fades away on closer acquaintance. Catherine Booth
was not one of these.- Nothing could exceed the es-
teem and affection of those who knew her best. The
very fact that she laid herself out rather for their
benefit than to win golden opinions for herself, se-
cured their everlasting respect. Mr. Booth realised
increasingly that in her he had found the wise man's
ideal of a wife, and had obtained favour of the Lord.
As soon as the wedding was over Mr. and Mrs. ^ second
visit to
Booth proceeded to Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, but Guernsey.
remained there only a week, when they took steamer
to Guernsey, where they received a hearty welcome
and found themselves the guests of Mr. Booth's
former host and friend, Mr. Ozanne.
From the ordinary point of view it would appear to
have been a strange honeymoon, so early did public
claims trespass upon domestic peace. On reaching
Guernsey they found a crowd of people on the pier
anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Meetings had been already arranged, and without Another
further pause they found themselves launched into all ^''"'^" •
the opportunity and excitement of a powerful revival.
196
MRS. BOOTH.
1855, In describing these meetings to her mother, Mrs.
^^ ^ ■ Booth writes :
" William is preaching to-night. I feel so sorry that I am
not well enough to go and hear him. The doors were to be
open at half-past five to admit the seat-holders before the crush.
The interest has kept up all through the services to such a de-
gree as I have never witnessed before. It would do you good
to see some of the prayer-meetings — chapel crowded, upstairs
and down. There have been some precious cases of conver-
sion, but not so many as William expected."
Before leaving Guernsey, the following autographs
were entered in the album of a friend :
Some
early aw-
tographs.
" Life with me," writes Mr. Booth, " has had its dark shadows
and its gloomy days. And yet it has not been all sadness.
There have been silvery linings to its darkest clouds. I have
tasted many of its sweets, and have drunk deeply of its pass-
ing excitements. I have known somewhat of the quiet joys
of home, the pleasure of friendship, the thrilling delights in-
spired by beholding the creations of man's genius, and the
lovely and picturesque in nature. But no emotions that ever
filled my heart were so rapturous, so pure, so heaven-like, as
those that have swelled my heart, while standing surrounded
by penitent souls, seeking mercy at the hand of Calvary's
Prince. The cries of the weeping, the prayers of the men and
women of God, and the songs of rejoicing alternately as-
cending, have made to me music the most melting and glori-
ous of any ever heard outside the portals of the Temple of
Heaven."
Mrs. Booth writes as follows:
" The woman who would serve her generation according to
the will of God, must make moral and intellectual culture the
chief business of life. Doing this she will rise to the true
dignity of her nature, and find herself possessed of a wonder-
ous capacity for turning the duties, joys, and sorrows of do-
mestic life to the highest advantage, both to herself and to all
those within the sphere of her influence.
"July 20th, 1855. Catherine Booth."
THE WEDDING. 197
Beneath this entry her eldest daughter afterwards 1855,
adds the following remarks :
" Thirty years ago my beloved mother wrote in this book, The Ma-
years before I was born. Words would fail to express all her ^^axiio- ^
example and influence have done for her children, all of graph.
whom now speak for her in the gate ! My one and only joy
is to follow in her steps and turn men from darkness to light,
fully realising how short the time is and how more than
worthy is our Redeemer of every moment of my life.
"June 5th, 1885. Catherine Booth."
CHAPTER XX.
The Con-
ference''s
resolu-
tion.
Seventeen
hundred
and
thirty-
nine peni-
tents in
four
months.
Glorious
residts.
One hun-
dred and
one seek-
ers in one
night.
REVIVALS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 1855.
The five months of evangelistic work which pre-
ceded his marriage had established for Mr. Booth a
widespread reputation for devotion, ability, and suc-
cess, so that when the Annual Conference had met at
Sheffield, just previous to the wedding, it was resolved
that " the Rev. William Booth, whose labours had
been so abundantly blessed in the conversion of sin-
ners, be appointed to the work of an evangelist, to
give the various circuits an opportunity of having his
services during the coming year."
The results had indeed been remarkable. In the
space of four months no less^than 1,739 persons had
sought salvation at nine separate centres, besides a
considerable number at four or five other places, of
which we have no particulars. This gave an average
of 214 for each circuit visited, or 161 for each week,
and 2 3 for each day during the time that meetings were
being held. At Longton, during the first visit there
were 260 in nine days, and during the second visit 97 in
four days. At Hanley, there were 460 in a fortnight ;
at Burslem, 262 in one week; at Mossley, 50 in five
days; at Newcastle-under-Lyme, 290 in one week; at
Bradford, 160 in a fortnight, and at Gateshead, a simi-
lar number in the same time. Not included in the
above was Guernsey, where, during Mr. Booth's first
visit, 200 souls sought salvation in the space of a
fortnight. It was an ordinary occurrence for 40, 50,
and 60 persons to come forward to the communion
REVIVALS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 199
1855,
Age 26.
A trying
voyage.
rail each night, and at Burslem we read in the Nczo
Connexion Magazine, that on a single occasion loi
names were taken. Besides those who actually pro-
fessed conversion, large numbers of persons became
convinced of sin, and were gathered in after the
special services were over.
From Guernsey Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to Jersey.
Jersey, and it is worthy of note that the hall in which
the meetings were held has since become an Army
Barracks.
The return voyage was a very trying one. Mrs.
Booth was always a wretched sailor, and this trip was
certainly one of her worst. She had been for some
time in very poor health, and it now became manifest
that it would be impossible for her to accompany her
husband in fulfilling the next appointments marked out
for him by the Annual Committee. It was therefore
decided, much to their mutual disappointment, that
Mrs. Booth should remain at home with her mother
till well enough to travel, while Mr. Booth proceeded
to York, in fulfilment of his next engagement. How
keenly they felt the separation may be judged from
the first letters interchanged by them, after Mr.
Booth had left :
A first
l^arting.
" 3 Castle Gate, York, August 4th. 1855.
"Mv Precious Wife: — The first time I have written you
that endearing appellation! Bless you a thousand times!
How often during my journey have I taken my eyes from off
the book I was reading to think about you— yes, to think ten-
derly about you, about our future, our home and its endear-
ments.
" Shall we not again commence a life of devotion, and by
renewed consecration begin afresh the Christian race?
" O Kate ! be happy. You will rejoice my soul if you
send me word that your heart is gladsome, and your spirits
200
MRS. BOOTH.
Age 26.
are light. It will help you to battle with your illness, and
make the short period of our separation fly away.
" Bless you ! I feel as though a part of my very self were
wanting — as though I had left some very important adjunct
to my happiness behind me. And so I have. My precious
self. I do indeed return that warm affection I know you bear
toward me.
" Your faithful and affectionate husband,
" William."
Mrs.
Booth re-
s2Jonds. sponse :
To this letter Mrs. Booth sent the following re-
Philoso-
phy ver-
sus love.
"August 6th, 1885.
" My Precious Husband : — A thousand thanks for your
sweet letter. I have read it over many, many times, and it
is still fresh and precious to my heart. I cannot answer it, but
be assured not a word is forgotten or overlooked.
" As soon as you were out of sight, I felt as though I could
have performed the journey with far less suffering than to
stay behind. It was a supremely wretched day, and long be-
fore night I had made up my mind to come to you, sick or well,
on Wednesday. You say, 'But, Kate, how foolish! Why did
you not think and reason?' I did, my darling! I philoso-
phised as soundly as you could desire. I argued with myself
on the injustice of coming here and making my dear mother
miserable by leaving her so soon — on the folly of making my-
self ill — on the selfishness of wishing to burden you with the
anxiety and care my presence would entail. But in the very
midst of such soliloquies, the fact of your being gone beyond
my reach, the possibility of something happening before we
could meet again, the possible shortness of the time we may
have to spend together, and such like thoughts would start
up, making rebellious nature rise and swell and scorn all re-
straints of reason, philosophy, or religion. The only comfort
I could get was from the thought that I could follow you if I
liked. And binding this only balm tightly to my heart, I
managed to get a pretty good night's rest.
" Remember me always as your own faithful, loving, joyful
little wife,
" Catherine."
REVIVALS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 201
From York Mr. Booth proceeded to Hull, and he 1855,
was joined on his way at Selby junction by Mrs. ^^ ^
Booth, who had now sufficiently recovered to be able They meet
to travel. The meetings were of the usual stirring " ^ '
and successful character, as may be judged from the
following report sent to the Nczv Connexion Magazine
by the Rev. J. Addyman, the local minister:
" On the Sabbath morning at 7 o'clock, we had a
glorious prayer-meeting, which spoke well for the
day. The congregations exceeded our expectations.
In the evening the chapel was full, and the extra-
ordinary ministry of the preacher produced an im-
pression which we trust will not soon be effaced.
Appropriate and vivid were the illustrations, and the
appeals for an immediate decision were heart-search-
ing. Many sighs, groans, and heart-felt responses
were heard throughout the congregation. Many
came forward to the altar and sought mercy. Ten
were blessed with a sense of pardon, and went home
rejoicing.
" On Wednesday evening the meeting was com- a thun-
menced under a very gracious influence. Brother cannon-
Booth preached a most telling and effective sermon, prayer.
Conviction took deep hold on the minds of the people,
and many literally groaned in spirit. The prayer-
meeting opened with great power. It was like a
thundering cannonade. The people came forward in
rapid, succession. Fourteen professed to find peace,
while others went away still mourning.
" The second Sabbath commenced as the previous
one. At night we had a packed chapel, communion
rails, pulpit, stairs, etc. On account of the great num-
ber of people present we had some difficulty in get-
ting the prayer-meeting into good working order, but
by the discreet management of our leader we sue-
202 MRS. BOOTH.
1855, ceeded. The meeting was pervaded by a hallowed
and powerful influence, and thirty-eight persons pro-
eiqht^sp'ek ^^ssed to find peace with God,
salvation. " Qn Thursday our brother preached his farewell
sermon, when every part of the chapel, even to the
top of the pulpit-stairs, was densely thronged. It was
eleven o'clock before we could bring that truly 'anx-
ious' meeting to a final close. I never witnessed
such a scene. Forty-eight persons gave their names
in as converts.
Two hun- " During these memorable seasons we have entered
dred and
seventii the names of 270 persons. These services have been
names
taken, conducted throughout with great order and propriety,
and attended by people of various denominations.
Our excellent brother Booth was carried beyond him-
self, and fears were entertained lest he should break
down, but God has graciously sustained him."
After reaching Hull, Mrs. Booth sent the following
letter to her parents :
A letter to "My Own Dear Parents: — My dear husband has gone to
ler lome. (;|-^g^pg|^ r^^^ though I am but ill able to sit up, I will send you
a line.
" Well, I got through the journey better than I expected.
The guard was exceedingly kind and attentive. If I had been
rich, I should have given him lialf-a-sovcreign.
" My precious husband met me at Milford, and was de-
lighted to see me. He is kinder and more tender than ever,
and is very, very glad I came. Bless him ! He is worth a
bushel of the ordinary sort.
" Considering we are only at the start, the work wears the
most encouraging aspect of anj^ place he has yet visited, and
he is, therefore, in excellent spirits.
" I have told William about my dear mother's kindness to
me and he desires me to send his very warm love and heart-
felt thanks. As to myself, I feel very grateful for so much
unmerited kindness. It is indeed sweet to be so cared for.
God bless you both !
REVIVALS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 203
" I have every comfort and attention, so be easy about me, 1855,
and believe me as ever and more than ever, ^S® ^^•
" Your affectionate and grateful child,
" Catherine."
After spending: a short time together at Hull, Mr, Caistor
and Mrs. Booth went for a couple of days' rest and
change to Caistor, the scene of the remarkable in-
gatherings already recorded. Owing to Mrs. Booth's
continued ill-health, it was decided that she should
here remain until the conclusion of the work in Hull.
While staying in Caistor she wrote as follows to her
mother :
" I heard from William this morning. They had a trium-
phant day on Sunday, the chapel packed and upwards of forty
cases at night, some of them very remarkable ones. He will
finish up at Hull on Thursday, and come here on Friday for
a week's rest previous to commencing the services at Sheffield.
I anticipate his coming much.
" It is such a splendid country. As I rambled out in the Her love
green lanes this morning, hemmed in on every side by fields ^{°^j''!,^
of golden corn, in which the reapers are busy in all direc-
tions, and surrounded by the most lovely scenery of hill and
dale, wood and garden, I did wish you, my dear mother,
could come and spend a fortnight with me. As for Hull, I
would much prefer Brixton, and our di'f of garden to the great
majority of its homes. It is like being in fairy-land here,
after being there, though I had every kindness and attention
heart could desire. But you know how precious fresh air is
to me at all times, or I would not be a voluntary exile from
my beloved husband, even for a week. Bless him ! He con-
tinues all I desire.
" I am glad you changed the boots. Fudge about paying me !
I should think you wore an extra pair out in running up and
down stairs after me, when I located my troublesome self at
Brixton last. Whether or not, it is all right.
" We are to have apartments at Sheffield. You cannot think
with what joy I anticipate being to ourselves once more. It y^^. ^ome.
will seem like being at home, sweet home. For though I get
204
MRS. BOOTH.
i8S5,
Age 26.
A message
to her
father.
literally oppressed with kindness, I must say I would prefer
a home, where we could sit down together at our own little
table, myself the mistress and my husband the only guest.
But the work of God so abundantly prospers that I dare not
repine, or else I feel this constant packing and locating
amongst strangers to be a great burden, especially while so
weak and poorly. But then I have many mercies and advan-
tages. My precious William is all I desire, and without this
what would the most splendid home be but a glittering bau-
ble? Then, too, by living in different families and places, I
have much room for observation and reflection on various
phases of life and character which I hope will benefit my
mind and increase my knowledge, and thus fit me for future
usefulness in my family, the church, and the world. May the
Lord help me !
" Tell father that he must not wait for a change of circum-
stances before he begins to serve God, but seek ^fr.?/ the King-
dom of Heaven, and then the attending promise will belong
to him, and I believe God will fulfil it. I wish he could be in-
troduced into such a revival as that at Hull. God is doing
great and marvellous things there.
"'He is bringing to His fold
Rich and poor and young and old. ' "
At the same time she wrote as follows to Mr.
Booth :
A beauti-
ful des-
cription.
" My Own Sweet Husband : — Here I sit under a hedge in
that beautiful lane you pointed out to me. It is one of the
loveliest days old earth has ever basked in. No human being is
within sight or sound. All nature seems to be exulting in ex-
istence, and your moralising little wife is much better in health
and in a mood to enjoy all these beauties and advantages to
the utmost. I have had a vegetarian breakfast, and one of
the most refreshing dabbles in cold water I ever enjoyed.
And now, after a brisk walk and reading your kind letter, I
feel more pleasure in writing to you than anything else un-
der heaven (except a personal interview) could give me.
" I bless God for His goodness to you on Sunday, and hope
that for once thou wast satisfied ! If so, it would have been
a treat to have seen thee ! I feel perfectly at home here and
REVIVALS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 205
experience just that free, sweet, wholesome kind of at-
mosphere which I have so long been panting for. My natural
spirits are in a high key this morning. I feel as if I could
get over a stile just at hand and join the lambs in their gam-
bols ! My soul also rises to the great and benevolent Creator
of us all, and I feel stronger desires than for a long time
past to be a Christian after His own model, even Christ Jesus.
" Oh, I wish you were here. I think you would rest quiet
a little tvhile! It is so like what it will be when there is no
more curse, when they shall not hurt nor destroy in all God's
holy mountain, but when the lion and the fatling shall lie
down together, and a little child shall lead them ! Oh what
a glorious time is coming for the real children of God — to
those who do His will ! Lord help us !
" The bells are ringing and guns firing on account of the news
that Sebastopol is taken. But I should think it is a delusion.
Anyhow I cannot enter into the spirit of the victory. I
picture the gory slain and the desolated homes and broken
hearts attending it, and feel saddened. What a happy day
will it be for the world when all Christians shall protest
against war, when each poor mistaken Peter shall have heard
Jesus say, 'Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they
that take the sword shall perish with the sword!' What a
fearful prediction, if it applies to nations as well as to in-
dividuals ! And hitherto it has been fulfilled in the history
of the world. If it is yet Lo be fulfilled in our history, what
will be our fate as a people?
" Believe me, as ever, thy own in earth's tenderest, closest,
and strongest bonds,
" Catherine."
1855,
Age 26.
High
spirits.
The neivs
of Sebas-
topol.
Her feel-
ings in re-
gard to
war.
CHAPTER XXI.
The first
visit to
Sheffield.
Mrs.
Booth
describes
their re-
ception.
SHEFFIELD— CHATSWORTH— CORRESPON-
DENCE. 1855.
The visit to Sheffield is so fully described in Mrs.
Booth's letters to her parents that we hail the oppor-
tunity of reporting it in her own words. The meet-
ings lasted for a month, from 23d September to 24th
October, and included five Sabbaths. No less than
663 professed conversion during this time, the work
increasing week by week in power and success.
Indeed it broke off at its very height, arousing a con-
siderable controversy in Mr. and Mrs. Booth's minds
as to the wisdom of abandoning such an opportunity
when circumstances seemed favourable for an even
larger ingathering. But we turn to Mrs. Booth's own
narrative :
"Sept. 24th, 1855.
" We arrived here two days ago. The Rev. W.
Mills (ex-President of the Connexion) met us at the
station and accompanied us to our host's. So that,
after all, we are not to be to ourselves. It is, how-
ever, a beautiful home, in the outskirts of the town,
within ten minutes' walk of the cemetery, and over-
looking some splendid scenery. I feel this to be a
special blessing in my present sickly condition. I
don't know what I should do if we were located in
the town, which for smoke, I thought as we entered it,
must rival the infernal region itself. It appears a
206
w.
Mills.
SHEFFIELD— CHATSWORTH. 207
very large, populous, and thriving city. But of course ^^^55,^
I have not seen much of it yet.
"They had a grand beginning yesterday at the -4^y«|>^
chapel, and took twenty names. William is posted «mg.
on the walls in monster bills in all directions, and
it appears from the congregations that his fame was
here before him. I trust the work will be equal or
superior to Hull.
"September 27th. — We dined and took tea with Rev
Mr. Mills, yesterday. This is the same minister who
was Superintendent of the Hanley Circuit, where
William had such a glorious revival last year. He is
a nice man, very gentlemanly and intelligent. He
gave William his opinion of mc, which I fear was
very flattering.
" I have been to chapel two evenings. The work
is rising in power, influence, and importance, and
bids fair to become very mighty. On Tuesday even-
ing seven or eight ministers of different denomina-
tions were present. The celebrated John Unwin, of
Sheffield, of whom you have often heard me speak
and read, as a leading Reformer, and Mr. Caughey's
host and intimate friend, sat just behind me.
"Luke Tyerman is in Sheffield, and lives not far
from our residence. We think of going to see him,
and intend to hear him preach before Ave leave.
" You will be pleased to hear that my letter on
the training of young converts is copied from the
New Connexion Magazine into the Canadian Christian
Witness. So it has found a sympathiser on the other
side of the Atlantic.
"October 5th.— The work progresses with power.
We have been to-day to call on Mrs. Thomas Firth.
It is one of the most splendid homes I ever visited
and has a very kind and sympathetic lady for its mis-
2o8
MRS. BOOTH.
1855,
Age 26.
Domestic
happi-
ness.
The prog-
ress of
the work.
All
classes at-
tend.
tress, I have had several interviews with her and
like her very much. I feel her sympathy to be a
special boon just now. You know what a great de-
sideratum this is ztnt/i me.
"October. — I should love to see you. I never was
so happy before. My cup, so far as this world goes,
seems full. With the exception of the drawback of a
delicate body and being without an abiding home, I
have all I want. My precious William grows every
day more to my mind and heart. God is blessing
him richly both in his own soul and in his public la-
bours. He is becoming more and more a man of
prayer and of one purpose.
" The work progresses with mighty power. Every-
body who knows anything of this society is aston-
ished, and the mouths of gainsayers are stopped.
God's Son is glorified and precious souls are being
saved by scores. Four hundred and forty names
have been taken, and to-morrow is expected to be a
crowning day. There is to be another love-feast in
the afternoon, making three since we came.
"October. — The work goes on gloriously. On Sun-
day night the chapel was packed to suffocation, and
after a powerful sermon a mighty prayer-meeting
ensued, in which upwards of sixty names were taken,
some of them very important and interesting cases.
People of all grades and opinions attend the services,
from members of the Town Council to the lowest
outcasts. Last night (Monday) was what William
calls a precious night, and Mr. Mills, the ex-Presi-
dent, says the sermon was both beautiful and effective.
" I have not been to chapel since I had the doctor.
I feel it a great privation, but all other trials are
more than compensated by the kindness and attention
of my beloved husband. He gets more affectionate
SHEFFIELD— CHA TS WOR TH. 209
every day, and often tells me he never dreamed of 1855,
being half so happy. He has just been up to the ^^ ^ '
room in which I am writing, telling me it is the
climax of his happiness to have me with him, and
exhausting his vocabulary of kind words and tender
epithets. I tell you this, because I know your mother-
heart. Bless the Lord ! My full soul often vents it
self in asking, 'Whence to me this waste of love?' Oh,
for more devotedness to God ! Then I should indeed
be satisfied.
"October. — William's mother is staying here. I Mr.
must say I anticipated seeing my new mother with mother.
much pleasure and some anxiety, but at our first
interview the latter vanished and I felt that I could
both admire and love her. She is a very nice-looking
old lady, and of a very sweet and amiable spirit.
William had not at all over-estimated her in his de-
scriptions. I do wish she lived within visiting dis-
tance of you. I am sure you would enjoy her society.
" I went to chapel yesterday and witnessed a scene An affect-
such, as I had never beheld before. In the afternoon ^"^ ^^^"^'
there was a love-feast, and it was indeed a feast of
love. The chapel was packed above and below, so
much so that it was with extreme difficulty the bread
and water could be passed about. The aisles and
pulpit stairs were full, and in all parts of the chapel
persons rose to testify of the power of God in con-
nexion with the services. It was an affecting time,
both to me and to William's mother, when some one
called down blessings on his head, to hear a general
response and murmured prayer all through the build-
ing.
" At night we got there at five minutes to six, and a forest
found the chapel crowded and the vestry half full. ""^ ^^'"^^'
I was just returning home when a gentleman told
14
2IO MRS. BOOTH.
1855, me there was a seat reserved for me in Mr. Mills'
^^ ' pew, which, after some difficulty, I reached. The
chapel presented a most pleasing aspect, a complete
forest of heads extending to the outside of every
door, upstairs and down. Mr. Shaw opened the ser-
vice, and William preached with marvellous power.
For an hour and ten minutes everybody was absorbed
and riveted. Though scores were standing, they had
a glorious prayer-meeting, in which seventy names
were taken, many of them being very satisfactory
cases. I would have given something considerable
for you to have been there.
A mighty " Octobcr 22d. — We had a wonderful day at the
chapel yesterday, a tremendous erowei jammed to-
gether like sheep in a pen, and one of the mightiest
sermons at night I ever listened 'to, from 'Will a man
rob God ? Yet ye have robbed Me ! ' The chapel
continued crowded during the prayer-meeting, and
Jx^names before half-past ten o'clock seventy-six names were
taken, taken. All glory to God !
" My dearest has been very prostrated to-day, but
is preaching again to-night. They had collections to
defray the incidental expenses of the services yester-
day and raised £2^, far beyond anybody's expec-
tations.
"The farewell sermon is to be on Wednesday night,
when he will finish up five weeks' services, having
preached twice on Sundays and four nights a week in
the same chapel.
" A letter from the Annual Committee this morning
says he must not visit the other chapel in this town.
The friends are in a dreadful way about it. They
talk of calling a meeting of office-bearers and petition-
ing for it. But I don't think it will be of any use, as
the committee have arranged for six places between
SHEFFIELD— CHA TS WOR TH.
211
now and May, and even this leaves some of the most
important and needy towns out altogether.
" My dear William is very mueh harassed about
having to leave a place before his own convictions of
duty favour it. It is a solemn thing, and he feels his
responsibility as he never did before. May the Mas-
ter undertake for him. I believe that if God spares
him and he is faithful to his trust, his usefulness will
be untold, and beyond our present capacity to esti-
mate. He is becoming more and more effective every
day, and God seems to be preparing him in his own
soul for greater things yet. Oh, for grace to surren-
der our whole selves to do His will !
"October 24th. — Your very kind letter is to hand,
and though I wrote yesterday I cannot forbear send-
ing you a few lines to-day. You seem low and poorly,
and I feel that I must try and comfort you a bit. I
am sorry you were disappointed in not hearing from
me on Saturda3% but you must never attribute it to
neglect or indifference when I omit writing. It
sometimes happens that I cannot /nip it. There are
many circumstances and arrangements to which I am
subject w^hicli would be otherwise, had I a quiet re-
tired home of my own. Yesterday, for instance, I
had not half an hour at my own disposal. So when-
ever I don't send you my accustomed letter always
conclude it is because I cannot, for I assure you, my
will and heart always prompt me to do so. (It was
Mrs. Booth's rule to write to her parents at least once
a week, and throughout life she recommended it to
others.)
" I received all your letters, and although I did not
mention them, I think I referred to the contents of
each. Bless you! I have read them through several
times, and shed some tears over them, too! Don't
1855,
Age 26.
An unfin-
ished
work.
Cheering
her
mother.
Assur-
ances of
love.
2 12 MRS. BOOTH.
i8ss, imagine that because I am so happy in my husband,
^^ ^ ' and have so many things to claim my attention, that
I think or careless about you. I don't believe I ever
loved or valued you so much, and I am sure I never
longed to see you more. My thoughts constantly
stray off to you, and I am continually wishing you
could share my joys and prosperity.
DonH "Don't worry! I have seen the folly of my former
worry . j^^g ^^ apprehension, distrust, and sinful despondency
in regard to the future. Oh, try to learn the lesson
from me, and don't anticipate evil which may never,
never come! I consider it nonsense to talk about
your uselessness! What else can you do? Your
path at present seems shut to where you are, and it
may be God is more glorified by your standing still
and patiently waiting the development of His pur-
poses, than by a much more active life. I know it
is hard to trust and hope when we can see nothing.
I have, as you know, often felt it so. But now the
clouds have dispersed, and the day shines, how
plainly I see that I might have been much happier,
if I had trusted the Lord more. He was doing for
me the very things which I most desired, but because
clouds and darkness so often appeared to be round
about me, you are a witness to my murmurings and
mistrust. Oh, let us learn to believe His word.
* Commit thy way unto the Lord, and He will direct
thy steps.' The Lord help us, for even yet I need
Trusting much faith in God for the future. I am often dread-
thefu- fully tempted to entertain gloomy anticipations, and
to think that my present lot is too happy to last long.
I suffer muchanxiety about my dear husband's health.
Luke Everybody predicts his breaking down. Luke Tyer-
maZs man told him yesterday that neither he nor any other
opinion. ^^^ could Stand it long, and I often fear. But at
SHEFFIELD— CHA TS IVOR TH.
213
present God strengthens him wonderfully. How
true it is we know not what a day may bring forth,
in regard to our joys no less than with reference to
our anticipated sorrows.
" Thursday noon . — They finished up last night
gloriously. Though it was a very wet night the
chapel was packed in every part, and scores went
away unable to get in. The friends described the
scene to me as very affecting and unprecedented in
their history when the people took leave of William,
at near eleven o'clock. They passed in a continuous
stream across the communion-rail from one side of
the chapel to the other, while the choir sang, 'Shall
we ever meet again?' They took forty-eight names,
making a total of 663."
At the conclusion of these meetings, the Confer-
ence Committee, at the instance of the Sheffield
friends, agreed to a fortnight's rest, which was spent
at Chatsworth, where Mrs. Booth writes to her mother
as follows:
185s,
Age 26.
Six hun-
dred and
sixty-
three
names
taken.
"Chatsworth Park, October 27th.
" We arrived here this morning for a few days' rest
before going on to Dewsbury. The Sheffield friends
have been exceedingly kind. There was a meeting
on Thursday night of office bearers, locat preachers,
and leaders, to hear an address from William on the
best means of sustaining and consolidating the work.
It was a very important gathering and was attended
by a number of influential people. They decided that
the address should be published. The gentleman
with whom he had been staying bore a most flattering
testimony to the benefit his whole family had derived
from William's stay among them, and styled it a high
honour to have had the privilege of entertaining us.
Fareivell
to Shef-
field.
2 14 MRS. BOOTH.
185s, The unanimous and kind solicitude manifested was
Agfe 26
overwhelming and sufficient to have made any man
destitute of the grace of God, vain.
Chats- " I thought and talked much of you on the journey
Park, here, as I rode over those Derbyshire hills and wit-
nessed its wild and romantic scenery. It is a splen-
did spot where we are located, right inside the park,
where we can see the deer gambolling. I feel a
peculiar interest in the scenes around, doubtless owing
to its being my native county, and you will not deem
it strange that associated with such feelings I should
think more about the authors of my being. Bless
you ! I hope the sun of prosperity will yet rise and
shine upon you, as you descend the hill of life, and
that I shall be permitted to rejoice in its rays,
■^^s " 28th October. — This afternoon we walked through
scenery. °
the park right up to the Duke of Devonshire's resi-
dence. It is one of the most splendid spots I was
ever in. It is all hill and dale, beautifully wooded
and bestudded with deer in all directions. The resi-
dence itself is superior to many of the royal palaces,
and the scenery around is most picturesque and sub-
lime. This splendid spot is ours for a week in every
sense necessary to its full enjoyment, without any of
- the anxiety belonging to its real owner,
" This first day of our stay has been a very blessed
one. I could not tell you how happy we both are,
notwithstanding my delicate health and our constant
migrations. We do indeed find our earthly heaven
in each other. Praise the Lord with me, and oh,
pray that I may so use and improve the sunshine that
if the clouds should gather and the storm arise, I may
be prepared to meet it with calmness and resignation.
" At present my dearest love bears up under his
extraordinary toil remarkably well, and seems to be
SHEFFIELD— CHA TS IVOR TH. 2 1 5
profiting already from this rest and change. I never 1855,
knew him in a more spiritual and devotional condition ^^ ^ '
of mind. His character daily rises in my esteem and
admiration, and I am perfectly satisfied with his affec-
tion for me. He often tells me he could not have
believed he should ever have loved any being as he
loves me. Has not the Lord been gracious to me ?
Has He not answered my prayers? And oh, shall
I not praise Him and serve Him? Yea, I am resolved
to do so with all my heart,
" November 2d. — Thursday was a fine frosty day, MMieton
of which we took due advantage. Directly after
breakfast we started for a walk of four miles to see
the rocks of Middleton Dale. The scenery all the
way was enchanting. I could scarce get along for
stopping to admire and exclaim. The dark frowning
cliffs on one hand, the splendid autumnal tints of
rich foliage on the other, and the ever varying views
of hill and dale before us, all as it were tinged with
glory from a radiant sky, filled us with unutterable
emotions of admiration, exhilaration, and joy.
" William constantly saluted some passer on the a Derby-
road, and from all received a regular Derbyshire re- ^sponse^
sponse. One old man, in answer to a question as to
the distance we were from the Dale, said he reckoned
'Welley' four miles, it 'met' be about 'thra' and a half.
I thought of poor Liz filling the pan 'welley' full of
potatoes !
" Well, we reached the Dale, and were not at all
disappointed with the scenery. It is a long narrow
road with cliffs from a hundred to two hundred feet
high on either side, jutting out here and there like
old towers of a by-gone age, and frowning darkly on
all below. I wish I could describe the wild grandeur
of the place, but I have neither time nor ability.
2i6 MRS. BOOTH.
1855, " We walked about half a mile up the dale, and
^^ ^ ■ then I rested and got a little refreshment at a very
An an- ancient and comical kind of inn. William walked
cientinn. ^^^^ ^ ^.^^ further. During this time I had a
very cosy and to me amusing chat in rich Derby-
shire brogue with an old man over his pipe and mug
of ale.
" After resting about half an hour we bent our steps
homewards, where we arrived soon after two. I felt
tired, but considering I had walked at least nine
miles during the day, I reckoned myself worth many
dead ones."
During their stay at Chatsworth, some Sheffield
Sir Mark f^ieuds Came over for the day. One of them, Mr.
Firth. Mark Firth, was afterwards knighted on the occasion
of the visit of the Prince of Wales to Sheffield. Mrs.
Booth thus describes their visit :
" This morning we were just preparing to visit
Chatsworth House and to explore a part of the park
we had not seen, when to our surprise Mr. and Mrs.
Fenton, and Mr. Mark Firth, brother to the gentle-
man named in my former letter, came to the door.
They had driven over in their phaeton to spend the
Climbing day with US. So we set off to climb some tremendous
t e I s. -^^Yls, in order to reach a tower built in the highest
part of the park grounds. I got about half-way up
and then my strength failed me, and I begged to be
allowed to sit down and wait, while the rest of the
party completed the ascent. After much persuasion
I carried my point and was left alone, sitting on a
stone, my eyes resting on one of the loveliest scenes
I ever expect to witness in this world. I enjoyed
my meditations exceedingly. I was on an elevation
about as high as St. Paul's, with a waterfall on one
side of me, and the most romantic scenery you can
Mrs. Mumford.
SHEFFIELD— CHA TS WOR TH.
2i;
imagine all around, above and below. The old Duke
ought to be a happy man, if worldly possessions can
give felicity. But, alas! we know they cannot. And
according to all accounts he is one of those to whom
they have failed to impart it.
"The ducal mansion is a magnificent building sit-
uated in the most romantic portion of the park. Sir
Joseph Paxton's home is between the lodge and the
Duke's residence. It is a fine building, quite a gen-
tleman's seat, and yet it is only eighteen years since
he came here on an equal footing with the man who
keeps the lodge, and who works still as a plodding
gardener. They both came on to the estate together,
and at equal wages, which were very low. And now
one is 'Sir Joseph,' known all over the world, while
the other is still but keeper of the lodge."
For some years past the Salvation Army has cele-
brated its anniversary in the Crystal Palace, for the
designing of which Sir Joseph Paxton received his
honours. How small a world it is, after all, and how
strangely do its happenings overlap and interlace each
other !
1855,
Age 26.
Riches
unable to
confer
happi-
ness.
Sir
Joseph
Paxton.
CHAPTER XXII.
DEWSBURY.
Hersevere Dewsbury was Mr. Booth's next appointment.
I ness. Yleve Mrs. Booth was prostrated with a severe attack
of inflammation of the lungs, from which for some
time serious consequences were feared. She recov-
ered, however, sufficiently to be able to attend the
closing meetings of the revival.
Has re- She ascribcd her improved health to homoeopathy,
7wmcro" which she had for some time been practising with
iMthy. increasing confidence and benefit. The system had
been recommended to her about three years previously,
and by its means she had succeeded in curing an
obstinate sore throat, which had long resisted the
ordinary allopathic remedies. This had induced her
to make a careful study of several books bearing on
ff^ff^s^ the subject, with the result that she was still further
tern. convinced as to the soundness of the fundamental
principles on which homoeopathy is based. Since her
marriage she had taken advantage of the enforced
leisure necessitated by her delicate health to carefully
study Hahnemann's "Organon," determined that she
would not rest short of thoroughly mastering what
seemed likely to prove so useful to her in after life.
She knew something of allopathy, but it appeared to
her to be a system rather of palliatives than of cura-
tives, often substituting graver evils for those which
it sought to combat. Hence her mind was open to
receive fresh light, and to study the claims of any
218
DEWSBURY. 219
remedies which professed to afford permanent relief. 1855,
In subsequent years she largely adhered to the prac- ^^ ^ "
tice of homoeopathy, acknowledging to have derived
considerable benefit from its use, both in her own
case and in that of her family.
The services commenced in Dewsbury, on Sunday, The Dews-
the 4th November, and were concluded on Monday, rexivai.
the 3d December. In the Magazine for January, the
editor refers to the work in the following terms :
" Our last number furnished our readers with an account of
the glorious revival at Sheffield, and the commencement of
one at Dewsbury, both of which were still going on at the time
we went to press. As one indication of the good work at
Sheffield South, we have been called upon to supply three hun-
dred probationers' tickets. Respecting Dewsbury, the letter
of the Rev. Saxton affords the cheering intelligence that four „
hundred and forty souls have been brought to a religious de- hundred
cision. This news will gladden the hearts of thousands and "^'^•^5'/^
evoke the grateful exclamation. Praise Jehovah ! Hallelujah vation.
to His blessed Name ! Our beloved brother, Mr. Booth, is now
at Leeds. The prayer of our heart is that similar signs may
there attend his evangelistic labours."
But it is scarcely necessary to quote from Mr. Sax-
ton's long and interesting report of the Dewsbury
meetings, since we have Mrs. Booth's letters written
at the time during the intervals of her illness :
"November 5th. — We arrived here the day before Mrs.
yesterday, about 6 p.m. Two preachers met us at ffrfbesthe
the station, and accompanied us to our host's, where '"^^''"S'^-
we received a very cordial welcome.
" The services commenced zve// yesterday, the
chapel being quite full at night. The faith of our
friends rilns very high for something glorious. Our
expectation is from the Lord. May He abundantly
fulfil it.
"November 12th. — William got the Wcshyan Times,
:^26
MRS. BOOTH.
i8ss,
Age 26.
Thawing
the ice.
Locking
the gates.
and read the letter you refer to. The writer is a Mr.
Little, of Leeds, so he will soon have an opportunity
of judging as to the genuineness of the revivals attend-
ant on our mission. Some of his remarks are un-
questionably just 2,ndi justifiable, when applied to some
persons assuming the title of Revivalists. I have
often been distressed by the wildness and extrava-
gance of such, and am the last to tolerate noise with-
out influence, or ignorant and profane dealing with
sacred subjects. Mr. Little appears to be an oppo-
nent of Mr. Poole, and probably his remarks are
chiefly directed against him. If so, however, I think
them severe and unjust. Well, if God gives us
such a work at Leeds as we had at Sheffield, neither
Mr. L., nor any other 'little' man, will be able to
disparage it.
" The work here is progressing gloriously, though
we found a people frozen, formal, and quite out of
harmony with the spirit of a revival. Several of the
'nobs' still stand aloof, if they don't actually ridicule.
The excitement, however, is gradually taking hold of
the town, and sinners are being converted every night.
" Yesterday was a precious day. In the morning
the chapel was quite full, and at the love-feast, in the
afternoon, crowded. Between thirty and forty per-
sons spoke, and the collection amounted to four times
the ordinary sum. At night the chapel was so
densely packed that at about five minutes past six
William had to request the friends to lock the gates
in order to prevent any more crushing in. I never
heard him preach with such liberty and power. The
congregation appeared literally riveted to their seats.
In the middle of the sermon, when the subject
reached a climax and he seemed exhausted, he started
the congregation singing :
DEWSBURY. 22 1
"'O happy day, that fixed my choice 1855,
On Thee, my Saviour and my God.' Age 26.
" This was followed by :
" 'And above the rest this note shall swell,
My Jesus hath done all things well ! '
" It was like Heaven below, and in the prayer-meet-
ing that followed they took twenty-seven names.
" I seldom go on a week-night now, as I cannot
sit in hot places long together. Last night I could
scarcely remain till the sermon was over. I am sorry
for this, as I might often render efficient help at the Helping
communion-rail, where a certain amount of intelli- pJl'/^nts.
gence and aptness in dealing with penitents is often
sadly deficient. But I must rest content at home for
the present. However, I possess every comfort and
find a constant solace and a balm for every suffering
in the unvarying love and attention of my precious
husband. I often wish you could see how happy we
are. Oh, it is a precious thing to experience perfect
satisfaction in the object of one's affection! And I
believe we both enjoy it! Praise the Lord!
" 22d November. — I am happy to tell you that I con-
tinue to improve and am downstairs to-day. My
cough is much better, and I hope now soon to be as
well as usual. We remain here till Friday or Satur-
day week, and then go on to Leeds, where we are to
spend six weeks, three at one end of the circuit, and
three at the other. I believe we are to have a very
nice home where there are no children ; quite a re-
commendation, seeing how they are usually trained !
I hope if I have not both sense and grace to train
mine so that they shall not be a nuisance to every-
body about them, that God will in mercy take them
to Heaven in infancy. But I sincerely trust I shall
222 MRS. BOOTH.
1855, be able to do better, and am learning some useful
A.p'G 26
lessons from observation.
The Pilot. "23d November. — Father's letter came to hand this
morning with the Pilot. We see it every week, and
know much about its history, present mode of exist-
ence, and future prospects. Unfortunately it is a
party affair, and that only of a very small party.
The editor solicited reports from William for it, but
l^ontro-° 3,s the first prospectus set it forth as a controversialist,
versy. ^^ medium of attack upon the Association and Re-
formers, William declined contributing to it, thinking
that the title Revival Revived was merely tacked on to
it to better secure its circulation. I think, however,
the editor has materially altered his first intention,
and if he minds what he is about, it may yet succeed.
" There can be little doubt that it might be made a
first-rate paper, but the paucity of news of our own
Connexion is at present an evil. I am sorry the
majority of the Connexion, both lay and cleric, are
opposed to it, and chiefly because it is feared it will
injure the funds of the Book-room. Our objections
are on no such grounds. We say, never mind if it
does, if it blesses the Connexion spiritually, and puts
some steam into it ; but we fear its controversial ten-
dencies. However, we shall watch its course in this
respect and act accordingly. I will consider your
suggestion about the Juvenile, but it requires peculiar
tact to write for cJiildren. However, I may try.
Mr. Poole ]y[j. Poole has been very successful at Sheffield.
Sheffield. He wcut at a good time. There were scores wounded
who might have been gathered in by our people, if
the Committee had let us go to the other chapel.
However that may be, it is a good thing somebody
has caught them. Poole is a sincere, earnest, good
man, and we rejoice greatly in his success.
DEWSBURY. 223
"My dear William is rather better, though far 1855,
from well. They had a triumphant day on Sunday,
such an one as was never known in Dewsbury before, a trium-
The people flocked to the chapel in crowds, /lun- Sunday,
dreds being unable to get in. The love-feast in the
afternoon, I hear, was like Heaven. Many took their
dinners and teas, and never left the chapel all day.
To-night William is preaching his farewell sermon-
in the Wesley an Chapel, lent for the occasion, a spa-
cious building capable of seating two thousand peo-
ple, and I have just learnt from a man who has been
to fetch him some cocoa before the prayer-meeting,
that it is crowded. I hope they will have a good
night. Last night they took between thirty and forty
names, besides children under sixteen. To-morrow
evening William addresses the office-bearers, and on
Wednesday night the young converts. On Thursday
afternoon there is to be a farewell tea-meeting to be
held in the Wesleyan schoolroom, kindly lent because
our own would be far too small. We expect a splen-
did affair. Most of the trays will be given. They
had collections yesterday which amounted to i^20,
three times as much as usual."
Writing the following day, Mrs. Booth says:
"They did not leave the chapel last night till a
quarter past eleven o'clock. They had a splendid sixty
^ -"^ names
prayer-meeting and took sixty names. I suppose taken.
there were 2,500 people at the service."
The following resolution was passed at the Dews-
bury Leaders' Meeting, in regard to the services, the
Rev. L. Saxton being in the chair:
December 6th, 1855. TT^g
Resolved, That this meeting desires to record its gratitude ^^sohiy
to the great Head of the Church, for the large measure of tion.
224
MRS. BOOTH.
1855,
Age 26.
A shoiver
of tears.
Gratitude
for
mercies.
A joyful
exper-
ience.
success which has been realised in connexion with the special
services recently conducted by the Rev.W. Booth in this place,
and earnestly prays not only that Mr. Booth may be long
spared to labour in this blessed and glorious work, the work of
saving souls from death, but that he may be rendered increas-
ingly happy and successful. The meeting begs to assure Mr.
Booth that enlisted in his behalf and also in the behalf of
Mrs. Booth are its warmest sympathies and best wishes.
George Ward, Secretary.
"The tea-meeting last night was a first-rate one.
I do wish you could have heard William's speech. I
ventured there enveloped in a mountain of clothes,
and feel no worse for it, except it be zuorsc to feel a
little prouder of my husband, which I certainly do.
We took leave of the people amid a perfect shower
of tears and a hurricane of sobs, and many more are
coming to take leave of us to-day.
" As to my own feelings, I cannot describe them.
My heart was ready to burst as I listened to the sol-
emn, earnest, and really beautiful address given by my
dearest William. I felt unutterable things as I looked
at the past and tried to realise the present. I felt as
though I had more cause to renew my covenant en-
gagement with God than any of His children, but oh,
I realised deeply, inexpressibly the worthlessness of
the offering I had to present Him. Alas, I had so
often renewed, but so seldom paid my vows unto the
Lord, and yet He has so richly filled my cup with
blessings, and so wonderfully given me the desire of
my heart. Oh, for grace rightly to enjoy and improve
my many mercies! Pray for me.
" I often think that God is trying me by prosperity,
and sunshine, for I am, so far as outward things go,
happier than I ever was in my life. Sometimes my
heart seems burdened with a sense of my unmerited
mercies, and tears of gladness stream down my
DEWSBURY. 225
cheeks. I tremble lest any coldness and want of 1855,
spirituality should provoke the Lord to dash the cup ^^ ^ *
from my lips, even while I am exulting in its sweet-
ness. O my darling mother, you cannot think how
my soul often luxuriates in its freedom from anxiety
and apprehension about the future, and how sweetly
it rests in tranquil confidence where it used to be so
tossed and distracted by many elements and emotions.
You know something of its past exercises, but you
can imperfectly judge of its present satisfaction. I
tell you of it, however, that you may rejoice with me.
"We think and talk much about you. I have
mother's likeness on our bedroom chimney-piece,
and it gets many a kiss, and many a wiping, bless
you! I long to see you both. I trust we shall yet
make a family in Christ on earth, and an unbroken
family in heaven."
15
CHAPTER XXIII.
LEEDS. 1855-1856.
The Leeds
revival.
Christ-
mas
festivities.
" More
honoured
in the
breach
than the
obser-
vance.'"
The next two months, December and January,
were spent in Leeds. The services were held during
the first few weeks at Hunslet, a suburb of the city,
being afterwards transferred to Ebenezer Chapel, in
another and more central district.
Unusual difficulties were encountered at the outset.
The extension of the term alloted for the Dewsbury
meeting caused the Hunslet visit to be broken into
when at its very height by the Christmas festivities.
Strange and paradoxical as the fact may appear, it is
ungainsayable that in Christian countries Christmas
week is probably the worst time in the whole year for
winning souls. At the very moment when the
world is supposed to be rejoicing over the birth of its
Saviour, it is so engrossed in celebrating the historical
event that it has neither time nor inclination to con-
sider the object for which He came. Instead of the
occasion being used as an opportunity for seeking to
please Him, in the one way which would of all others
be calculated to win His approbation, the season is
almost entirely dedicated to fooleries, feastings, and
merry-makings. A few perfunctory services are
hurried through, it is true, but these are more for the
sake of saving appearances than for anything of a
serious character, and the thoughts of all are so pre-
occupied with the absorbing trivialities of the hour
that the claims of Christ upon their hearts, their
326
LEEDS.
227
homes, their families, their talents, their time, and
their possessions are unblushingly disregarded.
Verily " it is a custom more honoured in the breach
than the observance."
We read with sorrowful amazement that our Lord
was laid in a manger ])ecause there was " no room for
them in the inn." But is He not treated with even
greater disrespect in these days, and that by His pro-
fessed followers? Surely it is a crowning master-
piece of Satanic ingenuity and bravado which finds
Him ousted as it were from the celebration of His
own birthday, while a season, which of all others
should be regarded as sacred, is desecrated by a very
climax of gluttony, revelry, and drunkenness!
Probably it is no exaggeration to say that the drink
bill of Christendom during Christmas week is at least
double that for any other week in the year ! How
much is involved in this single fact ! And m the face
of so much poverty and suffering, is not the food
bill equally extravagant and scarcely less excusable?
And what are we to think of the unbridled buffoonery
of pantomimes and the countless other follies with
which Christmas has come to be so intimately asso-
ciated? Surely we speak within the mark when we
say that even now at the close of the nineteenth
century, outside the range of a few humble mangers,
it would be difficult to find much trace of the Saviour
among the hostelries of our modern Judah and Jeru-
salem.
To roll back this torrent of worldliness has been
one of the grandest portions of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's
mission. They have appealed, and not in vain, to
the conscience of multitudes to consecrate their
Christmas holidays, and indeed every other great pub-
lic festival, to the service of God in seeking the sal-
1855,
Age 26.
A climax
of dese-
cration.
Extrava-
gance.
Buffoon-
ery.
Rolling
back the
torrent.
228
MRS. BOOTH.
1855,
Age 26.
The true
ideal of
religion.
Eight
hundi'ed
penitents.
vation of their fellow-men. They entered the field
boldly, and have endeavoured to substitute the attrac-
tions of a happy religion for the fleeting enjoyments
of time. They have taught that it is as necessary to
be religious on week-days as on Sundays, on holidays
as on work-days, at home as in God's house, in private
as in public, and they have succeeded in raising up a
people who count it not only a duty but a privilege
to surrender their own pleasures for the happiness of
others, finding in God an enjoyment and satisfaction
which the world fails to afford. Hence one of our
most popular refrains :
"I have a Saviour Who's mighty to keep,
All day on Sunday, and six days a week !
I have a Saviour Who's mighty to keep,
Fifty-two weeks in the year ! "
But to return to the Leeds campaign. Despite the
interruptions of Christmas, a church bazaar, and some
anniversary sermons, the services were marked with
the usual success. More than eight hundred conver-
sions were recorded during the time, and the conclud-
ing meetings were the most crowded and powerful of
the series. The revival is referred to as follows by
the editor of the Nezu Connexion Magazine:
No mere
excite-
ment.
" In Hunslet a glorious work is going on. Hundreds of
sinners have been converted, many slumbering professors of
religion have been quickened, and not a few backsliders re-
claimed. The work has now extended to Leeds, where re-
sults of a similar character are being experienced. Let not
anyone attribute these marvellous doings to mere excitement.
They were preceded by special fasting, humiliation, and
prayer, and if God's promise be true, conversions and awak-
enings may be expected as rationally as the husbandman ex-
pects the joys of harvest to follow the toils of ploughing and
sowing. We honour the ministers and friends for their self-
denying efforts, and we honour the devoted evangelist, Mr.
LEEDS.
229
Booth, whose element of existence is the conversion of souls
and the spread of true religion."
In the next monthly review the following editorial
appears :
" What a debt of gratitude we owe to the God of all grace
that His work amongst us continues to revive and extend.
Long have we mourned our barrenness and depression. Now
we rejoice because the fertilising showers of heavenly in-
fluence are descending on our Zion, causing her waste places
to rejoice and blossom as the rose.
" In our last number we reported a revival at Hunslet.
Now it is our joy to tell of the glorious work at Leeds. Old
Ebenezer Chapel is at this moment distinguished by scenes
far more interesting than even those of her earliest history,
when within her walls was laid that platform of ecclesiastical
government which for sixty years has combined enlightened
freedom with the spiritual privileges of Methodism.
" It is quite compatible with our gratitude to God for these
remarkable outpourings of His Spirit to honour the brethren
whose anxieties, tears and prayers have brought about this
glorious result. One of the greatest blessings which could be
given to our beloved Connexion would be the general diffu-
sion of the revival spirit. We think highly of ministerial
intellectuality, but far more highly of those qualifications
which give large success in the conversion of souls. We do
not undervalue those things in our community which impress
respectability on our character and proceedings. But how
poor are they compared with the beauty of holiness, the
tenderness of compassion for souls, and the energy of an
earnest zeal for Divine glory ! "
We might quote long passages from the eulogistic
letters sent to the Magazine, describing the meetings,
but we prefer to draw our material from the private
letters of Mrs. Booth, containing as they do many
personal references which are necessarily wanting in
the published reports. The glimpses behind the
scenes are of more than ordinary interest, and we
have the advantage of an autobiography without its
1855,
Age 26.
A tribute
to the
work.
Ebeyiezer
Chapel.
Mrs.
BootWs
letters.
2 3d
MRS. BOOTH.
i8s5,
Age 26.
usual drawbacks, while the racy narrative reads as
freshly as if it had been penned but yesterday :
Arrival
at Leeds.
The Com
m it tee
and the
circuits.
"Leeds, December, 1855.
" We left Dewsbury at fifty minutes past one on
Saturday, and after less than an hour's ride arrived
here in safety and comfort. The Rev. Maughan met
us and accompanied us in a cab to our host's, one of
the most comfortable houses I have been in since
my marriage. Altogether we are really snug and at
home. Our host is a gentleman of independent
means, a nice jolly old man, and a New Connexionist
to the backbone. His wife, a thorough motherly,
good-natured, easy-going, happy old lady. No bairns
and a warm house — a great matter this cold weather.
You know what a susceptible being I am.
" I suppose we shall stay in Leeds seven or eight
weeks. They say they will £-0 to sec the Annual Com-
mittee, and shoot some of them with a pop-gun if
they won't let us remain. It has come to a regular
fight between the circuits and the Committee, but
William has given up the controversy.
" I am much better in my chest, though still trou-
bled with a nasty cough. I went out for a walk this
morning, though the ground is covered with snow,
and we have a sharp frost. I attended chapel yester-
day morning, a beautiful place, but not nearly full.
They have been going down for several years, and
unfortunately there will be a break in the services
for Anniversary sermons next Sunday. The society
appears to be very respectable and intelligent. I was
introduced to several very nice ladies yesterday. I
receive marked respect and attention everywhere.
Oh, to exert a right influence, and that only! They
Solid fire, got somc soHd fire amongst them yesterday from the
The
prospect
LEEDS. 231
pulpit, as effective as any at Sebastopol, it strikes me. 1855,
The balls seemed to lodge in many hearts, and at ^^ ^ *
night they had twenty good cases."
" December, 1855.
" William took the pulpit at night. We had a full
chapel and a good time. Some of those who came
forward were young men of great intelligence and
promise. Over an hour the friends rejoiced with ex-
ceeding great joy. I do wish you could join us here.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night, William
preached at a small place about five miles off, where
much good is expected. Yesterday morning between
twenty and thirty of the young converts came from
Dewsbury to spend the day at the chapel. They had
walked a distance of eight miles that bitter morning
in order to hear their spiritual father once more.
They beset us like a swarm of bees as we were leav-
ing the chapel. We went into the vestry with them,
and William started one of his favourite hymns, and
they sang like larks. It was a cheering and affecting Singing
lili^B let 7*1^^
sight. I wept tears of gratitude and joy. May God
keep them till we meet them in a sunnier world, and
unite to sing a song which shall never end.
" It will be a dreadfully hard week to my dear hus-
band. He is quite prostrate to-day from last night's
exertion. I never heard him preach more effectively,
but his poor body had need be made of iron to keep
it up. Bless him ! It will be a happy and crowning
Christmas to me, I am sure. I often weep for joy
when I think of all my mercies, and call to mind the
loving-kindness of the Lord.
" Oh, I do wish my dear father could hear and see concern
what I do sometimes. He would be encouraged to father.
return to Him Whom he has pierced, but Who re-
232
MRS. BOOTH.
1855,
Age 26.
ceiveth sinners still. When I see others saved, and
hear their blessed testimony to the willingness of
God to receive returning prodigals, even in old age
and hoary hairs, I often think of him. But our pray-
ers shall yet be answered. Then will we sing 'The
dead's alive, the lost is found.' "
A hard
struggle.
Deliver-
ing truth.
Getting it
in.
"HuNSLET, December 24th, 1855.
" I think I omitted to mention the particulars of
the work. Hitherto it has been a hard struggle. My
dearest has been burdened with anxiety and very
much annoyed with the character of the arrangements,
so much so that the first night we came he refused
to work with them as they then stood, and it took the
preacher and Mr. Crampton till midnight to persuade
him. The thing was altogether unfortunate, but it
would require too much time to explain it. The first
week the work was equal to anything we have had
anywhere at the commencement, but the Anniver-
sary interfered with the influences. The sermons
were clever and pretty, but no more adapted to the
people, or to the soul-saving work, than those which
any old country curate, knowing little or nothing about
conversion, might have preached. Oh, when will
ministers sufficiently realise their responsibility for
pressing the truth home upon the consciences of
their hearers!"
Referring to this subject in later life, Mrs. Booth
remarks :
"One great qualification for successful labour is
power to get the truth home to the heart.
" Not to deliver it. I wish the word had never been
coined in connexion with Christian work. 'Deliver'
it, indeed — that is not in the Bible. No, no; not de-
liver it ; but drive it home — send it in — make it felt.
LEEDS.
233
That is your work ; not merely to say it — not quietly
and genteelly to put it before the people. Here is just
the difference between a self-consuming soul-bur-
dened, Holy Ghost, successful ministry, and a careless,
happy-go-lucky, easy sort of thing, that just rolls it
out like a lesson, and goes home, holding itself in no
way responsible for the consequences. Here is all the
difference, either in public or individual labour. God
has made you responsible, not for delivering the
truth, but for getting it in — getting it home,
fixing it in the conscience as a red-hot iron, as a bolt,
straight from His throne ; and He has placed at your
disposal the power to do it, and if you do not do it,
blood will be on your skirts. Oh, this genteel way of
putting the truth ! How God hates it ! 'If you please,
dear friends, will you listen? If you please will
you be converted ? Will you come to Jesus ? Shall
we read just like this, that and the other ?' No
more like apostolic preaching than darkness is like
light."
Writing again to her mother from Leeds, Mrs.
Booth says :
"The result of the Anniversary has been, as Wil-
liam predicted, the congregations diminished, and
the week has been one of toil and discouragement.
The friends have been up to the ears in preparations
for the bazaar, and we have had altogether a season of
anxiety and discouragement. Nevertheless, it has
not been an unhappy time, by any means. No, thank
God, I experience nothing of real unhappiness now.
Underneath all temporary and surface trials there is
a deep calm flow of satisfaction and comfort, which
has actually altered the expression of my counte-
nance.
" I was at chapel three times yesterday. The work
1855,
Age 26.
The dif-
ference.
The gen-
teel
system.
The' ivork
inter-
rujited.
A fresh
start.
2 34 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, seems to have taken a turn, and things are evidently
rising. Last night there was a break. A gentleman
of great importance yielded to the power of Divine
truth, and decided to be on the Lord's side. There
were twenty other cases, but this one gave special
satisfaction. They have taken at present one hun-
dred and ninety names, and nearly all for our own
denomination. The friends begin to manifest a strong
affection, as usual, and if William would visit we
should be out every day. I need not say that I am
very glad he won't.
"January 3d, 1856.
Mrs. " I am glad you thought about us on the Watch
thTwcdch Night. The weather was fine here, so I went to the
Night chapel. I cannot tell you the nature of my feelings
on again mingling with the great congregation on
such an occasion and under such new, interesting,
and happy circumstances. It was truly a thrilling
hour to my soul, and I trust one to be remembered
in eternity with gratitude and delight. You know
what an enthusiastic, excitable nature mine is, and
can easily imagine the rush of emotion I should ex-
perience at such a season, while meditating on the
past, rejoicing in the present, and anticipating the
future.
Riciiiy " It must have been a time of blessing to all pres-
ent, and there was a large number. My precious
husband seemed richly imbued with the Spirit's influ-
ence, and graciously assisted to speak with power and
effect to the people. I often wish you could hear him
in some of his happiest efforts. I think you would
be surprised. I never cstcaned him so highly as now.
I never saw so much to admire in his character. And
when I compare him with the ordinary snailpaced
LEEDS.
235
professors I continually meet, I cannot but rejoice in
the possession of one with whom I can so fully sym-
pathise, and so heartily co-operate.
" The work here is rising in importance and power
every day, and after a great deal of arguing the Com-
mittee have consented to our remaining another week.
The friends are delighted and are getting fresh mon-
ster bills out announcing the services. Some of the
cases here are of the most important and promising
character. It would have made you weep tears of
joy to see the other night a gentleman of intelligence
and influence throw his arms around his wife's neck
in an ecstasy of gladness when realising the Lord
had pardoned his sins. The people of God might
well shout hallelujah, for they recognised in that kiss
the pledge of their union in Christ, for time and
eternity. His wife had long been praying for him.
It was a scene never to be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. Would to God such scenes were more
frequent !
"There is another fine old gentleman, a constant
attendant, whose wife has been a member several
years, who is under deep concern and in whom we are
all interested. He is a man of considerable wealth,
lives in a lovely country residence, keeps his carriage,
and is a member of the Common Council. We break-
fasted there on New Year's day, and William went to
see him this morning also, in order to get an oppor-
tunity for dealing with him about his soul, and we
think he is sure to be brought in. On our w^ay home
from his house we called and looked over his mill,
an immense place, where tons of paper are manu-
factured every month. We saw the entire process,
and had it explained to us.
1856,
Age 27.
Another
week.
A joyful
scene.
Another
in.itance.
236 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, "January, 1856.
"I have been to chapel twice to-day, to the preach-
A high iug this moming, and to the covenant service and
"^' sacrament this afternoon. So I am at home this even-
ing, three times a day being too much for me just
now. It has been a high day at the chapel. I will
enclose one of the small bills for the day, from which
you will see the subjects. The chapel this morning
was well filled, such a congregation as the)^ seldom
have. My beloved was very poorly and not at all fit
to preach, but a gracious influence pervaded the con-
gregation, and at the covenant service this afternoon
the body of the place was quite full, the new converts
being admitted by special tickets. It was one of the
most delightful services I ever attended.
A hard " I think a few more such struggles as this at Huns-
let would cause William to completely break down.
The anxiety has been fearful, but, bless the Lord,
victory is coming at last, and sinners are being saved
by scores. I am informed by one who has just re-
turned from chapel, that it has heenpacked (a glorious
triumph for t/iis place), and that the people have to
be allowed to remain in the gallery to the prayer
meeting. This is a good omen for a large ingathering.
"January 8th, 1856.
The Gen- " The work is progressing gloriously. On Sun-
Zhment!^ day night the sermon was one of extraordinary power
and influence, and during the prayer meeting they
Eighty- took fifty uamcs. Last night again they took thirty-
tim names ^ ^ ,i /- . , -ttt-h-
in two five, some of them first-rate cases. William was just
"^*" in his element. But his body is not equal to it, I am
sure, and I cannot but feel anxious on this point. I
am often congratulated on having such a husband,
LEEDS. 237
and sometimes told that I ought to be the happiest 1856,
of women. And I am happy. Nevertheless I have ^^
anxieties peculiar to my own sphere. I see the im-
certainty of health and life and all things, which I
trust keeps me from being unduly elated by present
prosperity.
" We are invited to dinner on Friday next to meet He unii
the preachers at the gentleman's I mentioned (the
Coimcillor). I intend going with Mr. and Mrs.
Crampton, but William will not visit under any pre-
text. The people would pull him to pieces to visit
them if he would go, but he cannot accept one invita-
tion without accepting others, and, besides, he wants
retirement. Thus one of my hidden fears about the
future is dissipated, viz., that he would love company,
and lose his relish for home and domestic joys. Bless
him ! He seems to want no company but mine, when
he is not engaged in his work.
"January i6th, 1856.
" The finish at Hunslet was grand ! Five hundred Five hun-
names were taken in all. The gentleman I mentioned <Jnf.f T/'
in my two last letters (the Councillor) was one of the
last sheaves of this glorious harvest; he gave in his
name on the last night. Another gentleman of tal-
ent and influence, a backslider, was restored on the
Thursday night, making glad the heart of a devoted
wife, who had been praying for him for a long, long
time.
" The commencement at Ebenezer Chapel on Sun- Ebenezer
day was most encouraging. The influence in the lS.'
morning was very precious ; the people wept and re-
sponded all over. The muster of leaders in the ves-
try after the preaching was better than at any previous
place, and many of them were evidently very superior
2 38 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, men. We were quite surprised at finding such a staff
of workers. At night the chapel was packed, and
upwards of twenty names were taken. Amongst those
in distress was a gentleman well known in the soci-
ety, and brother to two of the principal families in it,
as well as three or four more very respectable and
intelligent individuals. The two last evenings the
congregations have been excellent, and about forty
names have been taken.
A divided " There is a prospect of an unlimited work in Leeds,
ciurci. -^vgj-g not the building so small. The circuit has for
some years been in a divided state about the erection
of a new chapel, for which a splendid piece of ground
has long been purchased, but alas! the broils and
dissensions of the leading men have hindered. It is
to be hoped that this revival will raise the spiritual
tone of all concerned and thus help to overcome the
obstacles.
"Leeds, January, 1856.
A power- " The work here is one of the best we have yet
^ul TVOT'k
witnessed. Above a hundred names have been taken
on the week, and some of them very important. Yes-
terday was a glorious day. At the love feast many
were unable to get in, and at night (I was present)
hundreds went away. So great were the numbers
outside that it was given out that there would be
preaching in the schoolroom. I never saw human
beings more closely packed than the poor things who
stood in the aisles. My heart ached for them. The
chapel was crowded above and below till near ten
o'clock. I think everybody was delighted with the
sermon, I mean the saints, the sinners felt something
besides admiration ! I should think this is one of the
most intelligent and wealthy societies we have yet
LEEDS. 239
visited, but hitherto it has been crippled and cursed 1856,
by local disputes and dissensions.
"Leeds, January 29th, 1856.
"The work continues here with more tJian usual a frarfni
power. On Sunday the crush was fearful, and the
confusion on the stairs and outside the chapel so great
that the gates had to be locked. Serious apprehen-
sions were entertained of some accidents, and a gen-
tleman was obliged to get up in the congregation and
insist on some men getting down from a position they
had secured, where I believe there was nothing but
a half-inch board to sustain them.
"The people come from Hunslet night after night Night
111 after
With as much eagerness as strangers, though they night.
have been hearing him now almost eig/it zvecks.
Some of them almost idolise him, so great is their
love toward him, but, bless the Lord, amidst it all he
is kept humble, and often suffers from despondency
and self-distrust. I only attended once on Sunday,
in the morning, and returned home with a full heart.
William was so poorly and yet exerted himself so
much that I could scarce bear it.
" I often think I am better away, for I picture all
sorts of sad scenes in the future, and I feel as though
I could not make so great a sacrifice, no, not even for
souls! And yet my inmost heart cries out, 'Thy will
be done.' However, I am thankful to say he is going
to rest a week prior to going to Halifax. It will be
thirteen weeks on Saturday since we left Chatsworth,
and he has had no rest since, so I have taken the mat-
ter into my own hands, and for no power on earth will
I consent to any more toil until he has recruited a bit.
We leave here (all well) next Friday, and go to Huns-
let to spend a week at one of the principal friends."
240 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, "HuNSLET, February 5th, 1856.
" Your welcome letter is to hand, and though I have
Electrify- but time for a few lines I will send you one lest you
people, should be anxious. The finish up at Leeds was glori-
ously triumphant. The tea-meeting at Hunslet sur-
passed anything we have yet experienced. I would
have given a good deal for you to have been present.
My precious William excelled himself, and electrified
the people. You would indeed have participated in
my joy and pride could you have heard and seen what
I did. Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
Here Mr. Booth breaks in :
A curtain " I have iust come into the room where my dear
lecture. .
little wife is writing this precious document, and
snatching the paper have read the above eulogistic
sentiments. I just want to say that the very same
night she gave me a curtain lecture on my 'block-
headism, stupidity,' etc., and lo, she writes to you
after this fashion. However, she is a precious, in-
creasingly precious treasure to me, despite the occa-
sional dressing-down that I come in for."
Mrs. Booth resumes:
Therepiy. "We havc had a scuffle over the above, but I must
let it go, for I have not time to write another, having
an engagement at two o'clock, and it is now near one.
But I must say in self-defence that it was not about
the speech or anything important, that the said cur-
tain lecture was given, but only on a point which in
no way invalidates my eulogy.
" We came here on Saturday where we are treated
in the most kind and hospitable manner, and where
I hope William's strength will get nicely recruited."
CHAPTER XXIV.
HALIFAX, MACCLESFIELD AND YARMOUTH.
1856.
From Leeds Mr. and Mrs. Booth removed to Hali- The Hali-
fax, where the next two months were spent. The ^^i'yai'
Rev. J. Stacey, who was superintendent of the cir-
cuit, and afterwards President of the Conference, re-
ports that no less than 641 names were taken, and
that of these nearly 400 became members of his
church. Another leading minister writing at the
same time says:
" A few days ago I called at Halifax to see our truly de- Three
voted friend and brother, Mr. Booth. I was delisfhted to find thousand
penitents
that the same holy power was attending his labours there, m a year.
that has been vouchsafed in other places. I fear, however,
his health is endangered by his exhausting labours. Such is
his ardour, that he feels he cannot do enough in the glorious
work of saving souls. What a year of toil and glorious suc-
cess has our brother passed through ; and what delightful
showers of holy grace have fallen on our churches! I sup-
pose nearly 3,000 persons have been spiritually awakened
since our last Conference, besides the quickening power that
God has diffused through the souls of our ministers, office-
bearers, and members, and the interest excited in revival work
both in our own and other churches. I hope the ensuing
Conference will continue our dear brother in his revival
efforts, but it will be needful for him to have periods of entire
rest, or he will work himself to death."
It is interesting to find the same extraordinary what is
energy and power of endurance which characterise 9'^""'*"
General Booth's present labours, distinguishing him
16 241
242
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
A half
truth.
Subjugat-
ing the
human
Niag-
aras.
A suicid-
al policy.
in these early days. It has been said that genius con-
sists in a capacity for hard work. This is indeed a
half-truth. And yet to be a successful leader of men
the faculty of doing more than others, and of doing
it better, must be combined with the far rarer and
more difficult art of setting others to accomplish ob-
jects that are beyond the reach of any individual
power. It has been the combination of these qualities,
that has been the secret of General Booth's subse-
quent success.
The skill that can subjugate and utilise the im-
mense forces of mankind's Niagaras, will necessarily
outstrip the mental and moral achievements of the
mightiest Samson if destitute of this gift. The head
cannot dispense with the body, any more than the
body can dispense with the head. Each is mutually
dependent upon the other for its very existence. The
separation of either is suicidal to both. The genius
that divorces itself from the people whom it was meant
to bless and serve, eclipses its own brilliance and
paralyses its powers. On the other hand the society
that guillotines those whose mental and moral worth
exceed its own, limits its capacity for good and in-
jures itself. It clips the wings that would enable it
to fly aivay from the evils that are pressing on its
steps, onward to the accomplishment of some greater
good. Renouncing the privileges proffered to it by
Providence, it runs where it might soar, it fails to
rise because it fears to fall, and having escaped the
dangers of the sky, it becomes the miserable victim to
its short-sighted jealousy and finds in the mediocrities
of its own choice perils that exceed those which it
seeks to avoid, and tyrants whose yoke is the more
galling from its stupidity.
The dangers of despotism are doubtless bad enough
HALIFAX AND MACCLESFIELD. 243
and need to be guarded against, but the dangers of ^^^56,
lack-leaderism are greater still. The tyrannies of ^^
unsanctified genius have involved the world in some The tyr-
1 i • 1,1 J 1 annii of
of Its worst miseries, but we question whether these foUy.
have not been altogether outnumbered by the tyran-
nies of brainless ignorance and its foolhardy esca-
pades, or equally provoking inaction.
The visit to Halifax was prolonged by an event. The birth
of thciv
the birth of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's eldest son William eldest son.
Bramwell, the present Chief of the Staff of the Salva-
tion Army. Writing the next day to announce the
event to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, Mr. Booth says:
"Sunday, March 9th, 1856. '''
" Halifax.
"My Dear Mother and Father: — It is with feelings of
unutterable gratitude and joy that I have to inform you that
at half-past eight last night my dearest Kate presented us
with a healthy and beautiful son. The baby is a plump,
round-faced, dark-complexioned, black-pated little fellow,
a real beauty. The Lord has indeed been very good to us.
Poor Kate has had a dreadful time, but the Lord in mercy
has brought her safely through. Believe me as ever,
" Your very affectionate son,
"William Booth."
A few days later we find Mrs. Booth herself send-
ing the following pencilled note to her " precious
mother:"
" By a little subtlety I have succeeded in getting hold of a Hmv Mrs.
bit of paper and a pencil, and now I am going to whisper a f^n^
few words into your ear. Bless you! I do indeed think much
about you. I now know what it is to be a mother, and I feel
as though I had never loved you half as well as I ought to have
done. Forgive all my shortcomings and be assured I now
appreciate all your self-sacrifice on my behalf. My soul is
full of gratitude to God for having brought me through! I
am doing better than I could have expected, considering how
244 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, very ill I have been. My precious babe is a beauty and very
Age 27. good. Farewell, till I can get hold of a pencil again. '
The In a later letter she does not give quite so favour-
'''hah^i- able an account of the good behaviour of the future
hood. Qiiigf ^ and one is agreeably relieved to find that in
his early days he was capable of being "restless" and
" fretful," after the manner of ordinary babes. He
became a special object of interest at Mr. Booth's
next halting-place, Macclesfield, where he was pre-
Presented sented by twenty-four young women working in a
Bible, factory with a Bible containing the following inscrip-
tion:
" Presented to William Bramwell Booth by a few of his
father's friends.
"May this blest volume ever lie
Close to thy heart and near thine eye ;
Till life's last hour thy soul engage,
Be this thy chosen heritage. "
The The presentation took place at a farewell tea-meet-
fuifliied. ing, which was attended by nine hundred persons,
and the friend who represented the factory lasses said
that the gift was intended " as a slight acknowledg-
ment of the spiritual benefit they had received from
Mr. Booth's labours, and in the earnest hope that his
infant son might be spared to imitate his father's
character and career." The prayer has been more
than fulfilled, and we discern in that band of working
girls the embryo of the Hallelujah Lasses, who were
to play so important and prominent a part in the sub-
sequent history of the Salvation Army, and who were
to present on behalf of a sinful world not merely
their Bibles, but themselves, as living epistles known
and read of all men.
Mrs. Booth's recovery was not so rapid and satis-
HALIFAX AND MACCLESFIELD.
245
factory as had been expected. Owing therefore to
her continued sufferings, she was joined by her
mother at Macclesfield. Hence there are but few
letters existing which were written by her at the
time, and the only accounts of the Halifax and Mac-
clesfield meetings are those contained in the Nczv
Connexion Magazine. From these it is evident that the
work was as powerful and sweeping as in other
places, and that the same blessed results accompa-
nied the effort. The permanent character of the con-
versions may be judged from the impressive service
held at this very time in Sheffield, when 180 new pro-
bationers were received into the church as the first
fruits of the revival there.
Some may, however, be tempted to doubt the
genuineness of such " sudden conversions." Speak-
ing on this subject in after years, and expressing her
matured convictions in regard to it, Mrs. Booth re-
marks :
1856,
Age 27.
Joined by
her
another.
The ivork
perma-
nent.
Mrs.
Booth on
sudden
conver-
sions.
" Given the same temperament and calibre of being, I
would rather have a sudden conversion than a tardy one. Of
course for purposes of comparison you could not fairly place
two different natures in juxtaposition. It would not be right
to judge a plastic and emotional mind by the standard of a
phlegmatic temperament.
" When men are seen to be wrong, it must be very desirable
to get them right. And what is conversion but a process by
which those who are wrong are put right? As for the method
by which it takes place, or the length of time it occupies, I
have always been puzzled to understand why persons who
believe in conversion at all should object either to the em-
ployment of any reasonable means, or to the speed with which
they operate. Here is a man who has developed a fixed habit
of evil-doing, of falsehood, impurity, drunkenness, or some
other sin. The great end in view is to persuade him to
abandon his evil course, and surely the sooner you can persuade
him to do so the better.
Different
tempera-
ments.
Why
object i
246
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Not so in
temporal
things.
The
quicker
the better,
The spe-
cial ivork
of the
Spirit.
No hin-
drance to
its j)er-
manence.
Surface
work.
The
deviVs
toad-
stools.
" I have been very much struck with the different manner
in which people argue about temporal and spiritual things.
In regard to the former, supposing a friend is about to adopt
some mistaken course, you ply him with the best arguments
you can command, and the more quickly these take effect the
better yoii are pleased. You praise his candour and say, 'This
man is not only open to conviction, but acts spontaneously
upon the light he has received. ' You do not think any the
worse of him, because of the readiness with which he has ac-
cepted the truth. Nor do you for a moment imagine that he
must go through a long preparatory process, before he can
act upon his convictions. Why then in the religious world
should the exactly similar phenomenon be doubted, simply
on account of its suddenness? Surely it should be even less
a subject of surprise, when we remember that the special
operation of the Spirit of God is to convince of sin and to
present the most momentous motives and sentiments that can
be laid before the human mind, in favour of its abandonment.
" The idea is, I know, that owing to its suddenness the
change will not be permanent. But this is a mistake. The
permanence of a conversion is not determined by the gradual
process which produces it, or by the speed with which it is
accomplished, but by its reality, by the intelligence of the
subject, by the surrounding circumstances, by the temptations
the convert meets with, and by the care that is taken to nurse
his spiritual life.
" No doubt there was and is a great deal of surface work —
easy-come-easy-go-ism — just as there is much blossom that
never comes to fruit in the natural world. But even regrets
in regard to evil, and desire for improvement, and transitory
resolutions to amend, are better than no yearnings after good-
ness and God, or an undisturbed sleeping in evil. Who can
tell what benefits in after days the soul may reap from the
memories of such hours of Divine influence and impression?
"'There go 's mushrooms,' a minister once tauntingly
remarked, referring to some new converts, and mentioning
the name of the Evangelist through whose labours they had
sotight salvation. 'Well,' replied one of them, who happened
to overhear the observation, 'I would rather be one of 's
mushrooms than one of the devil's toadstools!'
" One specially singular circumstance is that the very people
who object to sudden conversions often belong to societies,
HALIFAX AND MACCLESFIELD.
247
Troops of
women.
the founders of which believed in and defended the doctrine, 1856,
their very successes being based upon its truth. And yet ^S^ 27.
we find their followers and professed disciples cavilling and
objecting!"
Referring to the Macclesfield meetings in later
years, Mrs. Booth says :
" I was still very weak, and unable therefore to at-
tend many services, but those at which I was present
were very blessed times. Perhaps in no town that I
had yet visited was there so intense an excitement,
such crowded audiences and such large numbers seek-
ing mercy. One striking feature of this revival con-
sisted in the crowds of women from the silk factories,
who attended the meetings and came forward for
salvation. It was a touching sight to watch them on
their way to the chapel with their shawls over their
heads. They were especially kind to me and the
baby. Sometimes they would come in troops and
sing in front of my windows.
" Bramwell was baptised during our stay in Mac-
clesfield, his father performing the ceremony. There
were about thirty babies baptised at the same time.
Not wishing the ceremony to interfere with the re-
vival services, we had them all postponed to one day,
making it the occasion for a special demonstration,
and an appeal to parents to consecrate their children
to the service of God.
" I had from the first infinite yearnings over Bram-
well. I held him up to God as soon as I had strength
to do so, and I remember specially desiring that he
shotild be an advocate of holiness. In fact we named
him after the well-known holiness preacher, with the
earnest prayer that he might wield the sword with
equal trenchancy in the same cause. I felt from the
beginning that he was ' a proper child.' At an early
Bramwell
baptised,
and
thirty
other
babies.
An advo-
cate of
holiness.
A proper
child.
248
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Conscien-
tious,
Truthful-
ness.
Early ac-
tivity
Toil re-
warded.
The
C'h ester
confer-
ence.
age, he manifested signs of intelligence and ability.
He resembled me especially in one particular, that was
in taking upon himself responsibility. As he grew up
I always felt that he was a sort of father to the younger
children.
He was very conscientious too. I remember once
letting him go to a friend's house to tea when he
was only three years old, telling him that he must not
take more than two pieces of cake. I was not pres-
ent, and the friends tried to persuade him to take
more, but he would not disobey me. This character-
istic grew with him through life. I could always
trust his word. I cannot remember his ever telling
me a falsehood. If at any time he got into mischief
he always came to me and confessed it. He was of
a very active and restless disposition. I do not think
he ever sat five minutes at a time on anybody's knee.
His energy as a child was something marvellous."
Those who have attended Mr. Bramwell Booth's
holiness meetings, or who have witnessed his patient
and laborious toil at the International Headquarters,
as the General's right hand and Chief of the Staff of
the entire Salvation Army, will testify to the fact that
the prayerful toil of his sainted mother has indeed
reaped a rich reward.
While the meetings were still continuing in Mac-
clesfield the Annual Conference met at Chester.
" After maturely considering the case of the Rev. W.
Booth, whose labours have been so abundantly blessed
of God in the conversion of souls, it was again re-
solved that he continue to labour in the capacity of
an evangelist for the next year, with suitable inter-
vals of rest. May our brother be more than ever suc-
cessful in the great and glorious work in which he is
engaged."
HALIFAX AND MACCLESFIELD. 249
Mr. Booth's next appointment was Yarmouth. 1856,
Here the cause was very low, and the counter-attrac- ^^ ^^"
tions of the seaside caused the struggle to be a pecu- 4 /j^,.^;
liarly uphill one. And yet the outcome might well ^^^'^'JOi*'-
have satisfied those less accustomed to witness the
remarkable results which attended Mr. Booth's
labours during the past two years.
In writing to her mother Mrs. Booth says :
" Your little darling is well and growing like a willow. It Grotving
is really astonishing how he comes on. We have bought him iviUow.
a doll, which pleases him vastly. He talks and laughs to it
in style ! He gets more and more interesting. The people
stop to admire him in the streets, and though Yarmouth
swarms with beautiful babies, he does not suffer by compari-
son with any, thanks to his grandmamma's nursing and care !
I hope you are taking the medicine the doctor prescribed for
you. I believe more firmly than ever in homoeopathy. Your
unbelief in it is only the result of not understanding the
principle on which it works. But never mind that. If you
get well, it matters not how.
" The work here continues to be very harassing. The The value
Connexion has next to no influence in the town, and there are '^■^ ■'^ouis.
also other difficulties. Nevertheless the congregations have
steadily improved from the first, and already forty names
have been taken, some of whom are very superior cases. Oh,
the value of souls ! They are worth all the trouble and sacri-
fice involved — yea, a thousand times over!"
This conviction deepened as years went by. "How spiritual
shall you feel," said Mrs. Booth in addressing one of ^^^''^'■^*^-
her audiences long afterwards, " How shall you feel
when you gather the spiritual family which God has
given you round the throne of your Saviour, and say,
' Here am I and the children whom Thou hast given
me? ' — the children won through conflict, and trial,
and strife, such as only God knew; 'children begotten
in bonds,' as Paul says — in chains — children born in
the midst of the hurricane of spiritual conflict, travail,
250
MBS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Cradled
in the
storm.
Encour-
aged in
the Lord.
and suffering, and cradled, rocked, fed, nurtured and
brought up at infinite cost and rack of brain, and
heart, and soul. But now; here we are, Lord. We
are here through it all. 'Here am I and the children
whom Thou hast given me.* How shall you feel?
Shall you be sorry for the trouble ? Shall you regret
the sacrifice? Shall you murmur at the way He led
you? Shall you think He might have made it a little
easier, as you are sometimes tempted to think now?
Oh! no, no! — the children! the children! You
shall have spiritual children! Won't that be reward
enough ?
" Oh ! sometimes, when I am passing through con-
flict and trial, in connection with a work which brings
plenty of it behind the scenes, I encourage myself
in the Lord, and remember those who have gone
home sending me their salutations from the verge of
the river, telling me they will wait and look out for
me, and be the first to hand me to the Saviour when I
get home. Will not this be reward enough? Even
so, Lord. Amen."
CHAPTER XXV.
SHEFFIELD. 1856.
From Yarmouth Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to North
Sheffield. The New Connexion had established two fls£d!^
circuits in this city, the Northern and the Southern.
The latter had already been visited during the previ-
ous year, and the marvellous results accomplished
had made the Northern Circuit equally anxious to re-
ceive Mr. Booth. After several postponements the
Annual Committee had at length decided to gratify
their request. Mr. and Mrs. Booth were welcomed in
the warm-hearted fashion so characteristic of the
Sheffielders.
Why it should be so, is difficult to explain, but Variety
■' of mil.
there can be no doubt that certain towns, districts,
and indeed countries, are peculiar for their receptivity
of Gospel truth, while others are precisely the oppo-
site. London, it will be acknowledged, has a special
reputation for being a hard and barren soil. Sheffield,
on the contrary, has responded with remarkable readi-
ness to the call of the revivalist. Towards the end 4 recep-
t'iVB soil
of the previous century it was the scene of the success-
ful labours of the great holiness advocate, William
Bramwell, and in 1844 it was greatly stirred by a visit
from Mr. Caughey, the American evangelist. It is
possible that such awakenings, both in Sheffield and
elsewhere, have exercised a softening influence, long
after their direct results have disappeared. The
traditional memories of such stirring times are
251
252
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Afa-
vourable
public
opinion.
National
and tribal
peculiar-
ities.
Head ver-
mis heart.
doubtless handed down from generation to genera-
tion, accustoming the popular mind to the existence
of these phenomena, and preparing the way for their
repetition. In these favoured localities a public
opinion already exists, instead of having to be created.
The ordinary prejudices and misunderstandings
which hinder revival work have been dissipated. The
ground has to some extent been cleared of its forest
"lumber" and is therefore more prepared to yield its
bosom to conviction's plough. There is scarcely time
to scatter the seed in the virgin soil, before it com-
mences to spring up and bear fruit, some thirty, some
sixty, some a hundred-fold.
No doubt other causes contribute to this result.
There are national, tribal, and local peculiarities of
disposition which are just as distinct as those of in-
dividuals. We talk familiarly of English John Bull-
ism, Yankee smartness, French polish, German
philosophy, Scotch sense, Irish eloquence, and other
similar characteristics. Similarly we might speak of
counties or towns, were we sufficiently familiar with
their idiosyncrasies. Who has not experienced the
difference that a few miles of railroad can create in
the moral and social atmosphere of all around?
To speak generally, some are all head and others
are all heart, while more rarely we come across a
happy combination of both. The tendency of modern
civilisation is to cultivate the head at the expense of
the heart, forgetting that knowledge is but a poor sub-
stitute for affection, either from an individual or na-
tional point of view. Hence some of the finest speci-
mens and most influential centres of braindom suffer
from atrophy of the heart. What is wanted is a
simultaneous cultivation of both.
But before there can be cultivation, there must be
SHEFFIELD. 253
recognition. Who can calculate the mischief that 1856,
arises from the almost total eclipse of this luminary ^^
from our modern sky ? Society, in our days, with all Tixe
its education and scientific paraphernalia, is tending the^heart.
fast in the direction of a society without a heart, and
might fitly be compared to a firmament without a sun,
or a body without a soul. It tries ±0 bask in political
and social rays of its own creation, and to thaw its
frigidity and illumine its darkness with lesser lights,
more perhaps after its own taste. But its great need
— the crowning need of the nineteenth century— is a Heart
restoral of heart-pulsation to the nation, the family ^"*"*^'*-
and the individual.
How sickening is the spectacle of a man without a a sicken-
heart! What a danger is he to the community at spectacle.
large ! The more brain power and knowledge he
possesses, the greater becomes his capacity for evil!
You cannot appeal to his heart, for he has none —
to his emotions, for they have been stifled long ago
— to his moral sentiments, for he has thrown religion
on one side as fit only for women and fools! He is a menace
capable of any crime — that he can practise with '° *^'"^'' ^'
safety to himself. He will not commit a murder, it
is true, but he will convulse nations in blood, or he
will establish a "corner" that takes the bread from
the mouth and the clothes from the back of the starv-
ing poor. He is a standing menace to society.
And yet he is the intellectual hero of the day, the The intei-
model after which childhood is fashioned, till the hero of
family, school, community, and nation is converted in- ^ "^'
to a patent heart-crushing, head-developing machine,
which manufactures humanity into a hideous carica- a hideous
ture of what it ought to be. Such is the tendency of ture.
the age. We ridicule the Chinese taste which cramps
the feet of its womanhood into narrow and unnatural
254
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Upsetting
God's
order.
Her quar-
rel ivith
modern
educa-
tion.
A hearty
reception.
The Shef
field
Revival.
moulds, and yet we allow ourselves to be dominated
by a craze that cramps our very vital powers and
destroys the tenderest and most beautiful side of our
nature.
Upon this very subject Mrs. Booth remarks:
"All the mischief comes from upsetting God's
order — cultivating the intellect at the expense of the
heart; being at more pains to make our youth cUi'cr
than to make them good ! For what is the highest
destiny of man ? I say that the highest type of a man
is that in which the purified and ennobled soi// rules
through an enlightened intelligence, making every
faculty of the being subservient to the highest pur-
pose— the service of humanity and the service of
God ! And all education that falls short of this seems
to me one-sided, unphilosophical, and irreligious.
And t/iat is my quarrel ivitJi modern edueation.'"
While Sheffield certainly was not lacking in intel-
lectual force, its people were distinguished by a large-
heartedness and a warmth of affection, which made
the task of ministering to their spiritual wants the
more agreeable. They welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Booth
with open arms. Many of the converts of the previ-
ous year flocked round them, helping to inspire them
for the fresh efforts which they were about to put
forth. The results of the next six weeks' campaign
were glorious. The chapel was crowded, hundreds
being frequently turned away for want of room, and
six hundred and forty-six names were taken.
Describing the meetings to her mother Mrs. Booth
writes :
" My precious husband is tugging at it, full of anx-
iety and greatly exercised as to the success of the
effort. Many things have transpired to discourage
him. Nevertheless God honours him in the conver-
SHEFFIELD. 255
sion of souls day by day. The work is rising glori- 1856,
ously, chapel full every night and packed on Sundays. ^^ ^''
It is worth making sacrifices to minister bliss and
salvation in Jesus' name. We are trying to lose
sight of man and second causes and to do what we do
more exclusively unto the Lord. I realise this to be
the only way to find satisfaction and peace in the
prosecution of our mission. But I am not nearly such
an apt scholar at it as my beloved. He can bear non-
appreciation and opposition much easier than I can.
Perhaps I could endure it better, if it did not concern
him. But I am trying to rise. May the Lord help me.
" It is a cause of great rejoicing to us to find such qu con-
numbers who turned to the Lord when we were in steadfast.
Sheffield before, standing fast and adorning their
profession, some of them giving promise of great
usefulness. All glory to God.
" Monday afternoon. — They had a glorious time at
the chapel last night, forty-nine cases, many of them
men, and stout-hearted sinners.
" 15 th vSeptember.
"William is working hard and with wonderful Agior-
results. The chapel was crowded out all day on work
Sunday, and sixty-three cases at night, a large pro-
portion of them men. The work up to the present
surpasses that of last year. Notwithstanding all this
he is very much harassed in mind regarding his future
course. Reports are continually reaching us of the
heartless manner in which the preachers let the work i^i down.
down after we are gone, so that so far as our com-
munity is concerned, it is almost like spending his
strength for naught. The cold, apathetic, money-
grubbing spirit of some preachers and leading men
is a constant thorn in his side. Oh for a church of
2 56 MRS. BOOTH.
1856, earnest, consistent, soul-saving men! But alas! alas!
^^ such is indeed difficult to find."
whxj the This letter contains the earliest reference to what
startedT was ultimately one of the chief reasons for the crea-
tion of the Salvation Army. The question has often
been asked, why it does not confine itself to evange-
listic effort in connection with the churches, handing
over its converts to be cared for by the ordinary pas-
toral agencies? It is everywhere acknowledged that
the Salvation Army is peculiarly adapted to the task
of awakening and converting sinners, but it is sup-
posed that the churches are better qualified for build-
ing them up. Is it, however, reasonable to conclude,
that those who fail in the former will succeed in the
latter? The church that cannot make its own con-
verts can hardly be expected to successfully train the
converts made by others.
The The fact that it cannot convert, if such be the case,
Tiiothcv
the natu- is surcly proof presumptive that it is incapable of
'^dian?^ affording them that spiritual nourishment which is
so necessary. Besides, who more suitable to be the
guardians of the new life, than those who have
been the means of bringing it into existence? The
parent movement is bound to its offspring by special
ties of affection. It possesses an authority peculiarly
its own, and which is perhaps incapable of being del-
egated to another. Is it, then, too much to say, that
the mother organisation must, if able, suckle her own
converts ?
Looking It was bccausc the New Connexion and other
after the
converts, churchcs, to whom Mr. and Mrs. Booth for some years
to come entrusted the care of their converts, fell so
far short of their ideal in this respect, that they were
ultimately led to consider whether they could not im-
prove upon the existing methods in regard to the
SHEFFIELD.
257
training as well as the gaining- of converts. But it
was not till a subsequent period that the possibility
or advisability of such a course dawned upon them.
Meanwhile the work in Sheffield went forward
gloriously. Towards the end of the visit, Mrs. Booth
writes to her mother :
" I wish you could be present in some of William's
best times. The other night the people could scarce
refrain from clapping.
" I accompanied him to chapel this morning, a
splendid congregation, a melting sermon, and a glori-
ous influence. The people wept all over the place.
There were shouts of 'Glory! ', 'Hallelujah!' from all
directions. I have no doubt they will have a grand
night, though the weather is very unfavourable.
" It will be a trying day for William. He preached
hard this morning, and for an hour this afternoon
never ceased talking, and I don't expect him home
before ten or half-past. It astonishes everybody how
he holds out. It is without doubt a glorious work.
Let this comfort us in the sacrifices we are called upon
to make. Yes %vc, for you share in them. It would
indeed be nice to live nearer together, to enjoy more of
each other's company. I wish it could be, but as it
cannot, there is something consoling in being able to
say 'Lord, I do this for Thee.' Always remember
this, my dear mother, when tempted to think it hard.
Remember it is to help spread the Redeemer's King-
dom that you have lent me to this wandering life.
And perhaps if we do it cheerfully, the Lord will yet
cast our lot together in sunny places.
1856,
Age 27.
r/ie Shef-
field re-
vival.
Lttbors
ahuTh-
dant.
Sharing
the
sacrifice.
"October loth.
" Our farewell tea-meeting went off gloriously.
Upwards of twelve hundred sat down for tea, and
17
The fare-
ivell tea.
2 58 MJ?S. BOOTH.
1856, scores were sent away with money in their hands, be-
^^ ^^* cause they had not tickets and the friends were afraid
there would not be room for them. It is calculated
that there were more than two thousand people in the
hall after tea. I sat on the platform, next to the star
of the assembly, a prominent and proud position, I
assure you. It was a splendid sight, such a dense
mass of heads and happy faces ! I would have given
a sovereign willingly for you to have been there. I
have been in many good and exciting meetings, but
never in such an one as that. I never saw an assem-
The au-
dience en- biy^ so completely enthralled and enchanted as this
thralled. j r j . -^ ,
one was while my beloved was speaking. He spoke
for near two hours, never for one moment losing the
most perfect control over the minds and hearts of the
audience. I never saw a mass of people so swayed
and carried at the will of the speaker but once or
twice in my life. The cheers were deafening, and
were prolonged for several minutes. I cannot give you
any just idea of the scene. I will send you a paper
^ containing an account of the meeting. It was a trium-
triumph. p^^^t finish, and has given me considerable comfort
and encouragement, amidst many things of a trying
and discouraging nature, I mean of a connexional
character. If the Lord continues my dear husband's
life and health, I have no fear for him under any cir-
cumstances. He need not brook any swaddling-
bands, and if I mistake not certain parties begin to
see the policy of giving him plenty of room."
A Jealous ^u incident occurred at the close of the Sheffield
clique.
visit, which, while it proved the affectionate esteem
in which Mr. Booth was held by the people, served to
accentuate the jealousy with which a certain section
of the preachers had begun to regard his increasing
popularity. Anxious to give expression to their
SHEFFIELD. ' 259
gratitude and to perpetuate the memory of his visit, ^i8|6,^
the Sheffield friends had decided on presenting Mr. ^
Booth with a large lithographic portrait of himself. Presenia-
° o i t. on of a
The proposal was in accordance with the common portrait.
custom of the Connexion, the presentation meeting
being presided over by the President himself, the
Rev. H. Watts, and a report being duly published in
the Magazine. We turn, however, for an account of
the meeting to Mrs. Booth's letters:
"October 27th.
" I know vou will be anxious to hear all about the a perfect
■^ 1 • r J triumph.
presentation meeting, so I seize a very brief and un-
certain opportunity to send you a few lines. I was
not well enough to go to the tea, but drove to the
meeting just in time to hear the speaking. The
meeting was a perfect triumph. There were as many
present as on the last occasion. The speaking was
very good, and the portrait best of all. I like it
much, although I do not think it flatters my beloved
in the least. Indeed it would not be possible to
transfer to paper that which constitutes his particu-
lar charm when speaking. It lives and dies with the
occasion,
"The portrait gives universal satisfaction. The what the
• Pvcsiclciit
meeting was in a perfect tumult of applause when it thought.
was exhibited. John Unwin said, 'Well, they have
caught a live man and stuck him on paper ! ' But I do
not think so. I still prefer the original! The Rev.
J. Paton (the well-known Congregational minister)
spoke like a friend and brother. He said he had made
a great effort to be present, but he was determined to
testify his friendship for Mr. and Mrs. Booth. It
was a noble and generous recognition of the good ac-
complished in the town by the services. The Presi-
26o
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
The
inscrip-
tion.
The Mag-
azine re-
ports the
meeting.
Why testi-
monials
were
after-
wards
sup-
pressed.
dent came out first-rate, and set his official seal in
full upon the whole affair. There was no milk and
water about him."
The copy of the portrait presented to Mr. Booth
bore the following inscription :
"Presented to the Rev'd William Booth, whilst labouring
as an Evangelist in the Methodist New Connexion by his
friends in Sheffield, in affectionate appreciation of his arduous,
zealous, and successful labours there and in other parts of the
community. Presented Nov. 26th, 1856, at a large meeting
assembled in the Temperance Hall, the Rev'd H. Watt, Pres-
ident of the Conference, in the chair."
The Magazine contains the following reference to
the meeting:
" Mr. Booth, who was received with enthusiastic applause,
replied in his usual fervent and effective manner. He said:
'I rise to respond to the expression of your esteem and affec-
tion with feelings almost overpowering. Such periods as the
present are to some the proudest moments of their history,
and I know not that the man does wrong who highly estimates
and boldly rejoices in the acknowledged esteem of his fellows,
especially if they be among the wise and the good. And yet
I confess to you, that although I highly prize and shall ever
hold in grateful remembrance the kindly estimate my Shef-
field friends have put upon my services, and of which this
presentation will be a lasting memorial, nevertheless I never
more fully felt the many imperfections that have marked my
efforts than I do to-night, and the unworthiness of that short
career which has called forth this spontaneous, enthusiastic,
and generous acknowledgment. I feel that in this respect
" the labourer" is not " worthy of his hire." ' After speaking at
some length on the importance of aggressive efforts on the
part of the church, Mr. Booth sat down amidst protracted ap-
plause."
And yet, singular as it may seem, the most interest-
ing aspect of this presentation was that it afterwards
led to the entire suppression of the system of testi-
monials in the organisation of the Salvation Army.
SHEFFIELD, 261
Mr. and Mrs. Booth were always sensitive to a fault 1856,
lest any personal gratification should prove an unin- se 27.
tentional stumbling-block to the work in which they
were engaged. They were themselves quite taken by
surprise at the ministerial ill-feeling aroused by the
presentation of the portrait. Had they dreamed that
such would have been the result, they would have
certainly put their foot on the proposal as soon as it
was made. They were sorry afterwards that they
had not done so, although it is by no means certain
that this would have prevented the determination of
an increasing party in the Conference to place the ex-
tinguisher upon Mr. Booth's growing popularity by
relegating him to a circuit where his efforts would
be limited to the ordinary pastoral routine.
But there w^ere other evils connected with the sys- other
tem which Mr. and Mrs. Booth afterwards more fully ^the'syL
realised. The public presentation of personal testi- '^'"'
monials was calculated, they found, to do more harm
than good. In the first place it was difficult to decide
of what they might properly consist. Equally diffi-
cult would it be to settle who should be the recipients,
without giving rise to endless heartburnings and dis-
satisfaction, which would go far to neutralise any
good that might have been accomplished. The ordi-
nary nature of such gatherings, with their flattering
speeches in regard to what, after all, had been but the
performance (often too imperfect) of a sacred duty,
was likely to do harm. There was also the danger
that officers would be tempted to aim rather at pleas-
ing the people than doing them good. For these and
similar reasons such presentations have been forbid-
den, and the Salvation Army officer has learned to
glory in what might at first sight appear to be an irk-
some and unnecessary restriction.
CHAPTER XXVI.
BIRMINGHAM, NOTTINGHAM, CHESTER.
1856-1857.
Birming-
ham.
A low
cause.
Open-air
work.
A power-
ful aivak-
ening.
The final
Sunday.
From Sheffield Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded for
a six weeks' campaign to Birmingham, the results of
which are summ.ed up in a long and interesting re-
port from the pastor, the Rev. B. Turnock. The
cause had hitherto been very low inthis town, so that
the visit was anticipated with eager expectation. A
specially interesting feature of the work here consisted
in the open-air meetings, which were carried on in
connection with it. Mr. Turnock writes:
" Some of our praying men formed themselves into a band,
and about an hour before the evening service went through the
streets singing, giving short addresses at the corners, warning
sinners and inviting people to the house of God. This roused
the attention of the people and they began to say 'V/hat is
the meaning of this? What are these Methodists about? "
" For a period of nearly six weeks the good work has gone
on, and oh, what scenes have we beheld! Penitent sinners
have come up the aisle so overcome with emotion as to be
hardly able to reach the rail. Fathers and sons, mothers and
daughters, have knelt side by side at the communion rail,
weeping tears of joy.
" The services have exerted a powerful influence upon our
members, rousing the careless and quickening the cold and
formal.- There seems to be new life and energy all around us.
The people are anxious for the salvation of souls.
" The last Sabbath is one which will never be forgotten.
The whole place was packed and yet crowds kept rushing on-
ward like a stream, and we were obliged to lock the chapel
262
BIRMINGHAM.
263
gates, leaving hundreds outside. It was truly delightful to see
the huge mass of people rise to sing. The preacher was again
earnest, terrible, melting, full of pathos. The word was with
power. What a glorious night this was, such as I had never
seen before ! Seventy-tivo souls professed to find peace with
God. I need not say there was deep excitement, but it was
holy, pure, such as I hope often to see."
1856,
Age 27.
Regarding the subject of religious excitement here
referred to, Mrs. Booth made the following observa-
Booth on
religious
Ci]CCXt€~
tions at the close of her prolonged ministry, with its ment.
multitudinous opportunities for observation :
" It has always been a cause of amazement to me how it is
that intelligent people can fail to perceive the connection be-
tween feeling and demonstration. How utterly unphilosophi-
cal is the prevailing notion that persons can be deeply moved
on religious subjects, any more than on worldly ones, without
manifesting their emotions ! This insane idea has done more,
I doubt not, to grieve the spirit of God and discourage and
extinguish vital religion than almost anything else. It has
always seemed to me better to have wild fire than no fire at
all. Certainly it would be more in keeping with the spirit
and practice chronicled in the Bible, to allow individuals too
wide an expansion of joy and sentiment, rather than to damp
the light and extinguish any manifestation whatever.
" The cold, formal services of the Protestant church have
done more to shut out from it the sympathy and adhesion of
the masses than any other cause, or indeed than all other
causes put together. The people will forgive anything better
than death and formality. Had I my time to go over again,
I would not only be far more indulgent toward the natural
manifestation of feeling, but would do more to encourage it
than I have done before.
" Not that I would advocate a rowdy and boisterous manner.
But the attitude of many churches seems to me to be illus-
trated by some families, where the father is so austere, and
keeps at so great a distance from his children, that they
hardly dare speak or breathe in his presence. There is no
natural spontaneous expression of either thought or feeling,
but the whole family seem to live, move, and have their being
Eril effect
of for-
mality.
No advo-
cate of
rowdy-
ism.
Be
natural.
264
MRS. BOOTH.
1856,
Age 27.
Mr. Booth
visits tiis
native
toivn.
Enter-
tains mis-
givings.
His fears
prove
ground-
less.
in a constrained atmosphere of awe, whereas if you follow the
same children into the nursery, or see them where they are
alone with their mother and free to act out the impulses of
their nature, you would hardly believe they were the same
creatures. But in a rightly regulated family, while the
parents will maintain their proper respect and authority,
there will be a suitable afid natural expression of feeling."
The next town visited was Nottingham, Mr. Booth's
birthplace. With the exception of a few days spent
from time to time with his mother, he had seen noth-
ing of it since leaving for London in 1849. He
observed in his journal :
" Sunday, November 30th, 1856. — My native town. Concern-
ing this place I must confess I have entertained some fears.
Being so well known and remembering that a prophet is not
without honour save in his own country, I had dreaded the
critical hearing of those for whom I had in my youth con-
tracted that reverence which in after life perhaps never fully
leaves us. However, my confidence was in my message and
my trust was in my Master."
A little later he is able to summarise the six weeks'
work in the following encouraging terms :
" I concluded in a most satisfactory manner. About seven
hundred and forty names have been taken, and, on the whole,
the success has far exceeded my expectations and has been a
cause for sincere gratitude. My great concern is for the fu-
ture. Oh that preachers and people may permanently secure
the harvest and go on to still greater and more glorious tri-
umphs ! "
When it is remembered that Mr. Booth was only
twenty-seven at the time of this visit, and that he had
been but two and a half years in the New Connexion
ministry, the result of these meetings will appear the
more remarkable.
Mrs. Booth sends the following account to her
parents :
NOTTINGHAM.
265
December 15th, 1856.
" The work here exceeds anything I have yet witnessed.
Yesterday the chapel, which is a very large one, seating up-
wards of twelve hundred people, was full in the morning and
at night hundreds went away unable to get in. It was so
packed that all the windows and doors had to be set wide
open. Sixty-seven came forward in the prayer-meeting.
" The movement is taking hold of the town. The preacher
and his plans are the topics of conversation in all directions.
Numbers of William's old Wesleyan friends come, and the
infidels are mustering their forces. The Mayor and Mayoress,
with a family of fine young men, are regular attendants and
st&yed to the prayer-meeting the other night. The folks
seem as if one of the old prophets had risen or John the
Baptist come again. It is so different to their ordinary
routine. I never saw so respectable an audience, and yet one
so riveted in their attention. How ready the Lord is to work
when man will work too!"
1856,
Age 27.
Mrs.
Booth'' a
account
of the.
Notting-
ham re-
vival.
The toivn
stirred.
Another
account.
Mr. J. Harvey, the Society Steward, writing to the
Magazine, says:
" We had our commodious chapel nearly filled every week-
night and crowded to excess on the Sunday evening, so that
hundreds had to go away. Mr. Booth is certainly an extraor-
dinary man. I never passed such a six weeks in my life. The
services were kept up with thrilling interest night after night.
His appeals and arguments were such as uprooted the deep
prejudice and hatred of the infidel, made gospel-hardened sin-
ners tremble, and caused many to exclaim, 'What must I do
to be saved?'
" The general results of the services are these. The chapel Every sit-
is filled. Every sitting is let, and many persons have applied ^^"^ '^*'
whom we have not been able to accommodate for want of
room. The classes are greatly increased, and some new ones
formed. The prayer-meetings are crowded to excess."
Nevertheless the superintending minister, the Rev. opposi-
P. J. Wright, although he had concurred in sending ^^i^perin-
the invitation, received Mr. and Mrs. Booth in the *«^i^«*^*-
coldest possible manner, and soon made it manifest
266 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, that he was no friend to them or their work. He was
^^ ' unable, however, to give vent to his feelings, owing
to the all but unanimous manner in which the society
and congregation supported the movement. The
tide was too deep and strong for him to offer it any
open resistance, so that to all outward appearance he
went with the stream of popular feeling. His opposi-
tion to the movement became more manifest when
the meetings had drawn to a close, and a promising
work was thus checked and suffered to languish. He
afterwards became one of the chief opponents in tiie
Conference of Mr. Booth's evangelistic labors, and
was in a large measure the cause of his being ulti-
mately compelled to leave the Connexion.
A visit to From Nottingham Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to
London for a fortnight's rest, spending the time with
Mr. and Mrs. Mumford. We cull the following note
from Mr. Booth's diary:
"Saturday, January loth, 1857. — We cameonto London for
our rest.
"Sunday, January nth. — Heard Mr. Spurgeon, and was
much pleased and profited — a truly simple, earnest, and faith-
ful sermon. I doubt not he is doing a very great work."
Mr. Booth
Leaving Mrs. Booth and the baby with her parents
at in London, Mr. Booth proceeded to Chester, where he
Chester. , ^ . -„ , . .
encountered difficulties of a somewhat novel nature.
The minister, the Rev. D. Round, gave him a most
hearty reception. The people also co-operated. But
some time after the meetings had commenced a news-
passaye P^pcr Came out with an attack on the revival, and
''with"a ^^^^y for tfie moment, checked the progress of the
news- -work. It was a new and therefore painful experience
to the young preacher, whose sensitive nature tempted
him to shrink from the encounter. A kindly Provi-
CHESTER.
267
dence, however, prevented his foreseeing the inky
oceans of misrepresentation and calumny through
which his bark was yet to sail, or perhaps the pros-
pect would have utterly discouraged his heart. But
keenly as he felt the slanders and deeply as he re-
gretted their influence in preventing penitents from
coming forward with their usual readiness at his
meetings, he fought his way resolutely through and
achieved a complete success, which was only rendered
the more striking by the temporary pause. More
than a hundred persons came forward during the last
three days, and the farewell meeting and tea were as
enthusiastic as any that had gone before. More than
four hundred names were taken during the five weeks
of his stay.
The newspaper opposition produced another effect,
which was altogether unexpected by its author, in at-
tracting to the meetings crowds of persons belonging
to a very different class to the regular chapel-goers
who had hitherto composed the bulk of Mr. Booth's
congregations. For the first time in his ministerial
experience, he found himself face to face with a god-
less, mocking crowd of young men. He was taken
quite by surprise and considerably disconcerted. In
writing to his wife he says :
" We are damaged in the prayer-meetings by lookers-on. I
fight them as closely as I can. But some of them are very
impudent. May the Lord undertake for us! "
Writing a few days later he adds :
" We had one of the most painful disappointments yester-
day I ever had to encounter. The night congregation was
overwhelming, hundreds going away unable to get admission.
There was some influence in the prayer-meeting, but we only
took fifteen names. You see this abominable and lying article
in the newspaper causes swarms of people to come out of
1857.
Age 28.
A strik-
ing
vicioi'y.
Four
hundred
penitents.
Another
difficulty.
A mock-
ing
crowd.
268 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, sheer curiosity, and they stand and gaze about, some of them
Age 28. actually laughing during the services! However, we must
fight it out,"
A dis' Mr. Booth had not yet learned to rejoice at being
7m^rSe. ^ble thus night after night to attract the most godless.
His first encounter with the very people whose special
chaplain he was destined to become came upon him
as a disagreeable surprise. But he quickly rose to
the occasion, and grappled in his own masterly, inimi-
table fashion with the consciences of the Christo-hea-
then audience, who had begun so strangely to take
pleasure in the chapel services, which they had so long
looked upon with scorn. How he dealt with them
and brought the thunder and lightning of the law to
bear upon their hearts, we are able to gather from
his correspondence with Mrs. Booth. Unfortunately
her replies to him are missing, or they would un-
doubtedly have supplied an important link in the
historical chain, showing how she seconded and en-
couraged him in his new and perplexing position.
"We had a tremendous struggle at the chapel," Mr. Booth
writes on February i8th. " I never saw anything like it in my
life. We were crowded above and below, and having been
out all day, I was poorly prepared in mind and much fatigued
in body, yet I was pressed in sj>/n't and the Lord helped me to
preach as I very, very seldom do ! Oh, the words seemed like
Jagged jagged daggers running into the hearts of the people! And
daggers. ^^^^ though the great mass of them stayed to the prayer-meet-
ing, we had only twenty-one souls. We ought to have had
fifty or more. That abominable paper has helped to raise all
this opposition. It has encouraged a lot of ignoramuses to
come and mock. They have no shame. You cannot make
them feel."
In another letter he writes :
" W e had a good night. I preached from ' What must I do to
be saved?' We had not much power during the first part of
CHESTER.
269
1857,
Age 28.
What
the sermon, but during the appeal 'What must I do to be
damned?' I don't remember ever having more. In fact Mr.
Round said this morning that he never felt so much under
any appeal before in his life, and that he could have knelt mustYdo
down and wept his heart away at the conclusion. George , '^^^'.a
• -,, ^1 , r ■ X -ii •/- damned?
Pox said he could not sleep after it. It was indeed terrijic.
I felt astounded at it myself. Of course I can only talk in
this way to my wife."
A rough
fisticuff.
It was a significant moment, when William Booth Reaching
and the rough churchless elements of England's pop- masses.
ulation first found themselves face to face in close
encounter! He did not remain long on the defensive,
just time enough to measure his antagonist with his
eye, and then closed with him in the life-grapple which
has resulted in such glorious accomplishment. Not
with a single blow, or round, however, was this en-
counter to be completed. It was scarcely more than a
skirmish, a rough fisticufi^, in which each party began
to test its powers. Nevertheless the champions of
ruffianism realised ere long that some one had entered
the ring who was to meet them on their own ground
and to prove more than a match for them, aiming re-
sistless blows at their hearts and consciences, and com-
ing off conqueror on many a hard-fought field.
Thus Mr. Booth caught the eye and ear of the The mod
masses, just as previously he had riveted the atten- GoUath.
tion of the Christian Church. He was still but a
stripling — this latter-day David. But he lodged a
stone in the forehead of the modern Goliath, the
effects of which have not yet ceased to be felt. He
obtained a hold which he has never lost. Whatever
faults the rougher masses of the world's population may
possess, they admire a man who has the courage of
his convictions, and who is not afraid to beard them
boldly in their dens of sin, misery, and desperation.
270
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Ag6 28,
Minister-
ial oppo-
sition.
But the opposition manifested by a certain minis-
terial clique, who viewed with jealousy the rising
popularity and success of the young minister, was
now beginning to take shape. The perplexity and
sorrow which this occasioned to Mr, Booth may be
gathered from the following extract from one of his
letters to Mrs. Booth :
An " Our secretary was through here this morning," writes Mr.
enigma. gQQ^j^ " jje did not please me. I can't understand it. A
certain knot of the ministers are an enigma to me. They
seem to have very little sympathy and appear only to use me
to get up revivals to push their machines, and to help them
when all other means fail. The great, high, and holy view I
have of the movement does not seem to enter into their calcu-
lations. Well, I gave him a broadside or two, and then left
him. Mr. Round is worth a laneful of such cold, icy-hearted,
all-brained folk. But my little wife must not talk in this
way. She must only listen to her husband ! "
Mr. Booth There is an interesting reference in these letters
Wl ^6 ts JJ^t*
Reginald to Mr. Booth's first meeting with the well-known
c iffe. gyangelist, Mr. Reginald Radcliffe :
" 13th February.
" Mr. Radcliffe, a solicitor from Liverpool, was here last
night. He is a rather singular, and at the same time a very
devoted, man. He consecrates his life and efforts and fortune
to the great work of saving men. I am informed that he goes
up and down the country preaching the gospel anywhere that
Preach- he can obtain an opening. He especially attends races, ex-
^exicution. ecutions, and such like large gatherings of people. For in-
stance, the other day a man was hanged at Chester. Mr. Rad-
cliffe came over two or three days before the day fixed, drew
up a plan of the different routes by which people would ap-
proach the gallows, and when night came he placed a man
with a large supply of tracts at each road, and thus put some
papers on Salvation into the hands of every person who came.
In addition to this he had four or five preachers at work be-
sides himself.
CHESTER.
271
" It appears that he had heard about me at Macclesfield and 1857,
Nottingham, and last Sunday he sent one of his preachers to ^^^ ^^•
see me with an invitation to Liverpool. He proposes taking
for me a large theatre, capable of holding between two and Liverpool.
three thousand people, the effort to be unsectarian and no
collections, he undertaking to meet all expenses, and allowing
the New Connexion to take the converts. He is a nice fellow,
a brave man, and a true Christian. I like him much. But of
course I cannot at present entertain anything of this char-
acter."
Mr, Radcliffe has since proved a long and consistent
friend of the Salvation Army, frequently attending
its meetings and inviting its leaders to his own. Of
late years his special interest has been concentrated
upon the foreign mission field, on behalf of which he
has labored indefatigably, urging Christians to give
themselves up for the salvation of the heathen.
The Chester revival exercised a powerful influence
on the surrounding villages.
" I never was better pleased with people," writes Mr. Booth,
" than I am with the poor country folk. They come four, five,
six, seven, eight, and nine miles night after night, and many
of them have found the Lord. Thank God, the common peo-
ple hear me gladly. I believe I should be a great deal more
useful among the simple-hearted country people than I am
among the fashionable, hard-hearted, half-infidel townsfolk,
with their rotten hearts and empty heads, and yet full-blown
conceit and pride ! "
An interesting case of conversion from among the
former class is recorded in the Magazi)ic :
" A man, verging on sixty, whose best deeds for many years
have been poaching and drunkenness, with its almost invari-
able accompaniment, cruelty to those who claimed his love,
and from whose presence the street children fled, and men
and women turned in silent fear, came to the house of God.
He was attracted by the fame of the preacher, heard the truth,
felt its power, bowed to its influence, sought and found mercy
His atti-
tude to the
Army,
and for-
eign mis-
sions.
Simpli-
city of the
country
people.
Ajjoacher
converted.
272 AIRS. BOOTH.
1857, in Christ. Now, accompanied by his wife, who has also given
Age 28. j^gj- heart to God during these services, he regularly attends
the meetings, clothed and in his right mind! "
Personal- But wc tum from the account of the Chester meet-
ings to some personal and domestic passages con-
tained in Mr. Booth's letters, sent to Mrs. Booth at
this time :
" How is baby? Bless his little heart! Tell him his papa
prays for him and hopes that God will make him a Luther to
pull down the dreadful abuses under which the church groans.
O Kate, ours is a solemn and important vocation, the training
of that boy !
Home dis- " So you had to whip him to obtain the mastery, and now he
cipline. jg king, seeing that you are ill ! I often think about him and
imagine I see him lifting up his little arms to me. Bless him !
Oh, may he indeed be 'great in the sight of the Lord,' and
whether esteemed or not by men, God grant that he may be
holy and useful.
Growing " May God bless you with every earthly and heavenly bless-
in enthu- -^g ^^^ shelter you under His spreading wings from all evil!
So most devoutly prays the father of your darling boy, and
the beloved of your soul ! You see, I am making progress in
enthusiasm, as I grow in years and continue in absence!
Well, I love you ! And the love I bear you and my sweet
little son is a constant joy to me. I would not part with you
for worlds — for naught, save in submission to the will of our
Holy Father. But God grant that day may be very far dis-
tant."
In a later letter he writes:
Little
Sunshine.
" I am glad little 'Sunshine' is better. lam anxious to hear
more about him. He is a joy to me. I often bless God for
bestowing such a treasure upon us. Let us regard him as a
loan from Heaven, and ever remember that it may please the
Lender at some tmexpected season to resume the gift — to
call in the loan. May he be continued to us, but oh, how im-
portant to be in a measure prepared for such an emergency."
There are some flippant allusions to homoeopathy.
CHESTER.
273
1857.
Age 28.
The Gene-
ral on
homoeo-
pathy.
The General could not extend his faith to believe in
the little charmed tasteless globules ! However, he
was troubled with a bad face, and writes to say:
" If it does not get better I shall go to the homoeopathic
doctor. Chester is either blessed or cursed with three of them.
But as you deem it a blessing, I am fain in this, as in many-
other respects, to pin my faith to your sleeve, and with me
there the controversy ends ! So I throw up my cap and shout
'Hurrah for homoeopathy! ' with its infinite quantity of infini-
tesimal doses, in whatever society I may be where the ques-
tion is mooted. All because I have such a blessed little wife,
in whose judgment I can confide on matters physical."
Ag-ain he writes, making Mrs. Booth the receptacle a dark
sscisotx
of his confidence, during a season of depression:
" I have not been in very good spirits to-day. I have been
looking at the dark side of myself. In fact I can find no other
side. I seem to be all dark, mentally, physically, spiritually.
The Lord have mercy on me! I feel I am indeed so thoroughly
unworthy the notice of either God or man. My preaching is
more than ever, or as much as ever, at a discount in my es-
timation. And yet I cannot be blind to the fact that it
answers the great end of preaching better than the efforts of
many. Still this yields me but little comfort. I must try
again. My sermons arouse and attract attention and create
conviction and alarm, but they don't push men sufficiently into
the fountain. God help me ! "
The letters contain tender assurances of affection
such as the following :
" Continue to love me. Aye, let us love, as God would
have us love one another, and let us realise on earth in spirit,
what Swedenborg said he saw in his vision in Heaven, that
man and wife there melted into one angel. Let us be one. I
am quite sure that we do now realise far more of this blissful
union, this oneness, than very many around. I meet with but
few who think and love and hate and admire and desire a/ike
to the same extent that v/e do, and also with very few who
18
Sweden-
borg^s
vision.
274
MRS. BOOTH.
1 857,
Age 28.
The dis-
embodied
souls that
dwell in
books.
Assur-
ances of
affection.
realise as much domestic and conjugal felicity. And yet there
are many things in me that want mending. God help me !
" I care less for so-called society day by day. For instance
in this house there is not a congenial soul, except those dis-
embodied ones that dwell in books! I feel more than ever
the worth of your society, and that with it and my work I am
content. The converse of others profits me very little, and
pleases vie less.
" I intend arranging for a second visit to this city next
year, so that you will have the opportunity of seeing it.
However there is not much to look at save a fine race-course,
some ancient walls, and your old-fashioned, queer, eccentric,
go-ahead husband.
" I reciprocate your desires most ardently for an interview.
I think about you. I can't say I dream about you, for I have
not done so since we parted. I wish I could. I should love
to see yoti, if it were only in imagination! Affection cer-
tainly grows with absence. I am sure my affection has in-
creased since we parted. How strange is the feeling that
binds us together, and makes us single each other out from
the wide, wide world, and makes our hearts fly to each other
like two magnets ! I think my heart beats as proudly and
truly to you as ever, — aye, more than ever. Oh, how many
blessings God has bestowed upon us ! Let us praise Him with
all our powers and serve Him all our days ! "
CHAPTER XXXII.
BRISTOL, TRURO, ST. AGNES. 1857.
As soon as the Chester meetings were brought to a Bristol
conclusion Mr. Booth took train for London, where "'^etrnGrs.
he rejoined Mrs. Booth and started with her for Bris-
tol. The comparative dependence of a preacher upon
his building here forced itself painfully upon his at-
tention, as it had previously done in York, where the
echo was so distressing that it was almost impossible
to be understood beyond the first few rows of listen-
ers. In the present case the architect had paid more
attention to the outside appearance of the chapel than
to the comfort of its worshippers. The building had ^
obtained so evil a reputation for draughtiness that it draughty
was difficult to secure an audience. Mrs. Booth
mentions in her letters that each time her husband
went to the meeting he seemed to take a fresh cold.
The present incumbent was one of the cold perfunc-
tory sort, and felt no particular interest in the success
of the meetings. Since the departure of his more
popular predecessor, the cause had languished and
their only preacher had left them.
Under these circumstances it was not to be wondered a check
at that Mr. Booth, during his short stay of three ''suits'^'''
weeks, did not witness results so great and glorious as
had elsewhere been his privilege. And yet, as was
afterward proved, there were few cities in the king-
dom so capable of being powerfully stirred as Bristol.
Here, as in Sheffield, there was a deep undercurrent
275
2/6 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, of religious sentiment that only needed to be success-
Age 28. £^j2y tapped by the Divine Hand to send forth an ample
A hopeful stream of living water. But though the source was
•^^^^' not far from the surface, its discovery was for a sea-
son delayed, and despite the fact that considerable
good was accomplished, it was with feelings of no little
disappointment that Mr. Booth concluded his meet-
ings and started off with Mrs.^ Booth for his next ap-
pointment.
Checks to And yet it was a useful experience, proving as it did
(z vcvivctl
that no matter how good and efficient the instrument
might be, it was possible for the best laid plans and
most ceaseless toil to be obstructed by adverse circum-
Tivo com- stances. There are two opposite, but common errors
errors, in regard to successful work. The one supposes that
no matter what measures may be taken and efforts put
The Pro- forth, a revival is a special interposition of Providence,
Theory, which can no more be commanded than a shower of
rain. The other takes it for granted that it can be
The all- brought about without labouring for the fulfilment of
theory, the necessary conditions. Both conclusions are equal-
ly mistaken. It is as fatally possible to check and
even extinguish a revival as it is blessedly possible to
create one. There are churches, societies, and indi-
viduals which have either drifted into a condition,
or voluntarily placed themselves in a position, that
makes a revival a moral impossibility. The work of
the evangelist is to establish communication between
the human and the Divine, between the soul and its
Maker ; and in doing so it is unhappily possible that the
surrounding circumstances, or the condition of the
church, may be such as to paralyze his best efforts.
To this day — alas, that it should be so!— there are
Chorazins and Bethsaidas, which, though exalted to
Heaven by their privileges and opportunities, are
BRISTOL,- TRURO, ST. AGNES. 277
doomed, by their resistance to Divine influences, to be 1857,
cast down to hell. Refusing to hear the voice of the ^^ ^ '
spiritual charmer, charm he never so wisely, they close
the door of mercy against themselves, seal their own
doom, and condemn themselves to destruction. " Woe
unto them ! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and
run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and
perished in the gainsaying of Korah."
From Bristol Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to Truro, t^^^ Jour-
. ney to
by tram as far as Plymouth, and thence by coach. Truro.
The latter part of the journey was especially trying.
The rain descended in torrents. There was barely
room for Mrs. Booth inside. She was too ill to take lit-
tle Willie, who soon, however, fell asleep in his nurse's
arms upon the box, equally unconscious of the storm
and of the dye from his nurse's bonnet strings, which
smothered his face with blue, causing him to present
a somewhat ludicrous appearance on reaching his
journey's end.
"It was a wearying affair, lean assure you," Mrs. Booth
writes a few days afterwards. " I have not yet got over it,
though considerably better than I was yesterday. William
also is very poorly with his throat and head. I fear he took
cold on the journey. 'Babs' seems to have stood it the best
of any of us. Bless him ! he was as good as a little angel,
almost all the way through. He has just accomplished the
feat of saying 'Papa.' It is his first intelligible word.
" Truro is a neat, clean, little town, and surrounded by very Truro
lovely scenery. The climate is much milder than that of ^^^seribed.
Bristol. The vegetation is much more advanced, flowers in
full bloom, and hedges in leaf. It reminds me somewhat of
Guernsey. There is just the same softness 'and humidity
about the atmosphere.
" You will be glad to hear that my precious husband had a A good be-
good beginning yesterday. There was a large congregation (/''"'^"^S'-
in the morning, and at night the chapel was very full. I trust
there will be a glorious move. If so, it will be worth all the
2 78 Mi^S. BOOTH.
1857, toil, and I shall be amply repaid. Bristol has been a heavy
Age 28, (3^ag upon his spirits. There was something mysterious
about the whole thing, and he never had his usual liberty in
preaching. Yet I never knew him in a better state of soul.
Now here he seems full of faith and power. To God be all
the glory ! "
The i^iih- What a mysterious phenomenon is the " liberty "
he sjjeak- •' ^
er's lib- here referred to, the spiritual afflatus, the unde-
finable influence, the human electricity, which flashes
the thought currents from the mind and heart of the
speaker into his audience, until they are carried away
with they scarce know what. There is a momentary
self-annihilation. Both speaker and listener are lost
in the subject, transported for a season beyond the
limits of the petty trivialities that usually bound the
horizon of each heart's little world — transferred in
the fiery chariot of the hour's illusion, they think not,
care not, where.
The ad- In this respect the preacher has special privileges
vanhiyes ^^^ advantages over the politician, the actor, or the
preacher, ciemagoguc. He is able to play upon a higher set of
compared motives. The appeals of the public orator are usually
^outic-'^ directed to some natural instinct which, when exam-
ian. ined, resolves itself into the merest selfishness. Even
patriotism is but a refined and distilled form of self-
interest. Trade, commerce, land and labour disputes,
all partake of the same. Vote for me, because I will
do the best for you, is the stock argument of the poli-
tical platform. Defend your own interests, take care
of your own rights, is the language of the world.
The Powerful appeals can doubtless be based upon such
'a''"/!? grounds, and rightly so. It is a side of human nature
''ppcai, which cannot be ignored by the preacher himself.
Self-preservation is one of the most widespread and
readily appealed to of all human instincts. The re-
BRISTOL, TRURO, ST. AGNES. 279
ligious reformer avails himself of it. But he has ^^^57,^
something more. Even in this particular respect he
appeals to eternity as well as time. He lifts the veil
and compares the tiny interests of this world with
those of a boundless hereafter. He goes further. He
plies the emotions, the affections, the hopes, the fears
of his audience with a ceaseless fusilade of entreaties,
storms the reason with resistless arguments, and
awakens the ally, whom he is certain of possessing in
every man's bosom— Conscience, the Heaven-ap-
pointed watchman of the soul.
Over the actor, he possesses the unspeakable ad- '^^X^f
vantage of reality, and of dealing with an immediate actor.
present and a never-ending future instead of a dead
past. Sincerity lends force to his utterances. And
when all these are crowned with the Divine unction, Unotion.
with the visible face-illumination which marked Moses
when he descended from the mount, and which now
distinguishes those and only those who have personal
converse with their God, he is able at times to carry
the hearts of his hearers before him as with a whirl-
wind. This at least is what Mrs. Booth here refers to
by the expression "liberty." This is the high ideal AUg}.
of what a preacher should be and do— the privileged
position to which he may and ought to attain. True,
there will be fluctuations in the degree, and at times ^^^
it may be unaccountably missing. But the utter or degree,
continued absence of this element, where such is the ^^^ ^^^^ ^^
case, shows that something must be radically wrong, <^ontM
and until it be gained or recovered, as the case may tiiej^en-
be, it were better for the time that the speaker closed
his lips and betook himself to his knees.
It was the possession of this peculiar influence and Exempli-
power that constituted the special potency m Mrs. Mrs^
Booth's own subsequent ministry. By the time she
2 8o
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28.
Oblivions
to time.
llieir first
■visit to
Cornwall.
Cornish
Method-
ism,
Previous
reports.
had finished her address she was usually bathed in
perspiration with the intensity of the exertion. Her
theme and her audience would make her oblivious to
time and every other consideration, and amid the
deathlike silence the musical cadences of her voice
seemed to make every heart in the vast throng vibrate,
while she reasoned v/ith them of " righteousness, tem-
perance, and judgment to come."
To return, however, to the narrative. " This was
our first visit," Mrs. Booth tells us, "to Cornwall, and
we both regarded it with no little interest. We had
heard much about Cornish Methodism. Indeed, it
was said to be the religion of the county. The peo-
ple were saturated with Methodistic teaching. Chap-
els were to be seen everywhere, in the towns, on the
moors, by the sea-coast. There they stood, great
square buildings, often with scarcely a house in sight,
apparently equal to the need of districts with three
times the population. But people or no people, there
stood the chapel, and it was usually a Wesleyan one.
Not only so, but the congregations were there, crowd-
ing it to the doors each Sunday. The parent Wesleyan
church was very much in the ascendant. Our cause
was extremely low. In fact, it was confined to Truro,
and a single outpost at St. Agnes, a small town in
the neighbourhood.
" We had heard a good deal about previous Cornish
revivals, and the excitability of the people at such
times. Hence we expected to find them eager to lis-
ten, easily moved, and ready to be convinced. But
in this we were at first a good deal disappointed.
Although after a time we found ourselves in a perfect
hurricane of excitement, yet nowhere had the people
evinced at the start such a capacity for resisting the
claims of God and steeling their hearts against all
BRISTOL, TRURO, ST. AGNES. 281
persuasions. Pure children of emotion, when once 1857,
A o-A 28
carried away by their feelings, it was difficult to place
any curb upon their expression.
" For the first four or five days, however, we could WaiUny
not persuade them to get saved. For one thing they feelings.
objected to the penitent form. It was to them a new
institution, and they regarded it with suspicion. They
were waiting, too, for the feelings under the influence
of which they had hitherto been particularly accus-
tomed to act. The appeals to their judgment, their
reason, and their conscience were not sufficient to in-
duce them to come forward. They did not see the
value of acting upon principle rather than on motion.
However, at length the break came. It was the Fri-
day following the Sabbath on which the General com-
menced his meetings in the town. It was a Good
Friday, loth of April, the anniversary of our engage-
ment."
Mr. Booth describes the meeting in a letter written
the next day to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford :
" We had a very glorious stir last night — such a An excU-
meeting for excitement and thrilling interest as I '"^ scene.
never before witnessed. The people had been re-
straining their feelings all the week. Many of them
had been stifling their convictions. But it burst out
last night, and they shouted and danced and wept and
screamed and knocked themselves about, until I was
fairly alarmed lest serious consequences might ensue.
However, through mercy all went off gloriously,
twenty-seven persons professing to find salvation.
Praise the Lord for ever! I am happ5% but weary.
I have had nine public services this week, have to
attend a meeting to-night, and three more to-morrow."
Of those who came forward that night were some ,
. . ° Ministers-
promismg young men, several of whom afterward to-be.
2 82 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, became ministers, one of them occupying a very
prominent position. From this time the work went
forward in a most encouraging manner.
Ahias- "William finished up at Truro, triumphantly,"
convert- writcs Mrs. Booth from St. Agnes on the 8th of May.
" Crowds were unable to get in and above thirty names
were taken. Amongst them was one very respectable
man, who had cautioned his wife a week before against
going out to the communion rail and making a fool
of herself. He now went up himself and got glori-
ously saved. He had been a vile blasphemer. Many
are under deep impressions, who will not yield to the
Ojyposi- rail. We never were in a place where the opposition
penitent- to it was SO great. If we return to Cornwall we shall
go back to Truro, and I have no doubt shall see far
greater things than any yet.
Ade- "We left Truro on Tuesday, coming half-way by
of St. train, and the remainder in a cart of the ancient stamp,
" 9"^«^^- enough to shake one to pieces. I feel the effects of
it yet. The place is a desolate, and yet not an unin-
teresting, spot, not above half a mile from the sea,
and surrounded by the celebrated tin mines of this
county. We can hear the machinery at times, and
in our walks see some of the operations through which
the ore passes. The coast is a wild and picturesque
one, presenting some scenes of beauty and grandeur.
The people are, as at Truro, strange in their dialect
and manners. They talk about a revival in the same
way that we should about a fair, a sale, or any other
worldly business. We expect to stop here a fortnight. "
A .'strange An incident occurred during this time, of which Mrs.
"'a/iou.* Booth, in later years, gives the following account:
" The General had a good time here, and would
doubtless have reaped a rich harvest, but for a mis-
take which he made and which he afterwards very
BRISTOL, TRURO. ST. AGNES. 283
much reeretted. We had heard a great deal about the 1857,
way in which the Cornish people jumped and danced.
But at Truro, notwithstanding the excitement, we had
seen nothing to which the most fastidious could object.
They told us, however, that if anything moved at St.
Agnes, the people would 'go off,' as they called it, in ''Gmng
this form of manifestation. I believe the General had
set his face against anything of this description before
he went to Cornwall. Indeed, he prided himself on
conducting his meetings on the highest level of the
'decency and order' platform. He had told me how,
on one occasion, in the Staffordshire Potteries, he had
stopped some women from clapping their hands and
slapping the forms in a manner which he fancied
was contrary to proper worship, adding that he always
put down his foot on such manifestations and con-
trolled them with a firm hand.
" He was not a little shocked, therefore, one night, "GZorj//"
when the feeling in the meeting was beginning to get
warm, to see a dear woman spring to her feet in an
ecstasy, and begin to jump up and down with a meas-
ured rhythm, keeping exact time to the tune we were
singing, with a little shout of 'Glory!' every time she
went up. There was nothing that I could see con-
trary to either Scripture or decorum in the method
by which this simple woman manifested her joy,
though it was certainly opposed to the cold, cut-and-
dried notion of church order. The General, however, ^^'^ J^'^'^-^,
feeling the responsibility of the meeting to be resting misiake.
upon him, and fearing lest the excitement might get
beyond bounds, gave orders for her to be stopped.
In the carrying out of his instructions the exercise of
some slight physical force was necessary. This was
perceived by the congregation and the influence of
the meeting was thus destroyed. From that time the
284
MRS. BOOTH.
1857.
Age 28.
ilir.s.
Booth
defends
the jjvin-
cijile.
It is
natural.
It will
vary.
The
martyr
and the
sign.
work dragged heavily, and, although there was an
encouraging spurt at the end, yet the General came
away realizing that he had made a mistake, and de-
termining that in future, instead of stamping out the
excitement, he would content himself with guiding it."
" And why not allow a manifestation of feeling?" remarked
Mrs. Booth on another occasion. " A gentleman once said to
me, 'I never did shout in my life, but to-day upon my word I
couldn't help it.' I said, 'Amen. It's time, then, you be-
gan. ' I hope it may be the same with many of you. When
the Lord comes to His Temple and fills it with His glory you
won't know what to do. You must find vent somewhere, or
you will be as the poor old negro said he was, 'ready to
burst his waistcoat.' We feel so about temporal things.
People drop down dead with joy. People shriek with grief.
People's hearts stand still with wonder at the news they have
heard, perhaps from some prodigal boy. I heard of a mother
not long ago, whom some one injudiciously told of the sudden
return of her son, who drojDped down dead, and never spoke.
And when the Master comes to His Temple, that glorious
blessed Holy Saviour, whom you profess so to long after
and to love, and who has been absent so many years, and
whom you have been seeking after with strong crying and
tears, do you think it will be too much to shout your song,
or go on your face, or do any extravagant thing? Oh no,
if there is reality, you cannot help yourself.
" The manifestation will be according to your nature. One
will fall down and weep in quietness, and the other will get up
and shout and jump. You cannot help it. Like the two martyrs,
one rejoiced in the realisation of God's presence; the other,
who was in darkness, yet did not deny his Lord and turn his
back upon Him. He continued in the way of obedience,
and the other was encouraging him to hope and believe the
Master would come ; but He did not come until they started
from the dungeon to the stake ; so they fixed i:pon a sign,
and the one said to the other, 'If He comes you will give me
the sign on the road. ' The Master did come, but the martyr
could not confine himself to the sign. He shouted, raising his
arms, to his fellow-martyr, ' He's come. He's come. He's
come.' He couldn't help it. When He comes, you won't be
BRISTOL, TRURO, ST. AGNES.
285
ashamed who knows it. When you really get a living Christ
for your husband, you will be more proud than the bride is
who has got a husband worth being proud of, and you will
love to acknowledge and praise Him ; and the day is coming
when you will crown Him before all the host of Heaven. The
Lord help you to accept Him, and put away everything that
hinders His coming. Amen."
From Truro Mr. and Mrs. Booth next proceeded to
Stafford, a long and wearying journey. The increas-
ing difficulty of these frequent changes, and the dis-
tance between some of the appointments, gave rise to
a proposal for little Willie to be sent for a time to his
grandmother. Mrs. Booth speaks of the plan in a
characteristic letter, from which we take the following :
May 15th, 1857.
" William intends going to meet the Annual Com-
mittee before entering on any more labour, having
had his mind much pained and unsettled by informa-
tion lately received. He wants to have a clearing up.
" Much as I should like to have a settled home, you
know my objections to leaving William, and they get
stronger as I see the constant need he has of my pres-
ence, care, and sympathy. Neither is he willing for
it himself. He says nothing shall separate us, while
there is any possibility of our travelling together.
Nor can I make up my mind to parting with Willie,
first because I know the child's affections would in-
evitably be weaned from us, and secondly, because
the next year will be the most important of his life
with reference to managing his will, and in this I
cannot but distrust you. I know, my darling mother,
you could not wage war with his self-will so resolutely
as to subdue it. And then my child would be ruined,
for he must be taught implicit, uncompromising
obedience."
1857.
• Age 28.
The 1,1
travel in
Stafford.
The
Annual
Com-
mittee.
Keeping
together.
Cannot
part with
her boy.
Afraid of
an indul-
gent
grand-
mother.
2 86 J//?S. BOOTH.
\%S1', Thus we see how early Mrs. Booth commenced the
^^ ^ ■ training of her family, and how resolutely she put
A wise from her any proposal, however advantageous in other
decision. j.ggpg(.|.g^ which seemed to clash with the highest
spiritual interests of her children. Had she adopted
a different course it is very probable that the over-
indulgence of a kind-hearted and well-meaning grand-
mother would have inflicted irreparable injury upon
the character of the one who was to play so im-
portant a part. While Mrs. Booth was no advocate
for undue severity with children, she never failed to
call attention to the incalculable harm that was inflicted
upon them by the over-indulgence of their little whims
and by the lack of that firm, faithful, and yet affec-
tionate training so necessary for their future welfare.
CHAPTER XXVllI.
THE CONFERENCE OF 1857.
While Mr. and Mrs. Booth were at Stafford an was it nn
incident occurred, insignificant in itself, but which o"""'^-
seemed somewhat prophetic of the future. There
was a garden attached to the house in which they
were staying, and in this little Willie, though but fif-
teen months old, delighted to run about, while Mrs.
Booth would sit with her work in a sheltered corner
from which she could keep her eye upon him. One
day to his joy he discovered, on the border of the
pathway, a nest with the mother bird sitting on the
eggs. He was soon taught to respect his newly found
treasure, and to keep his little hands off. But many
were the peeps that he indulged in from time to time,
and it seemed that the birds became accustomed to
the presence of their baby visitor, understanding that
it boded them no harm.
One morning Willie had toddled off, as usual, for The
his accustomed look, when a startled cry attracted his "^*™^'^*'-
parents to the spot, where they found the eggs lying
broken on the pathway, while the nest, which had
been deserted by the birds, was in the possession of
a large beetle.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth could not but wonder whether The Con-
the occurrence had been intended to prepare them for /^o^J^J^e
some approaching sorrow. Was it that their plans ^i^^wq^!^'
and hopes and anticipations for the future were to be
ruthlessly disturbed? They were not kept long in
287
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28,
and send
Mr. Booth
to a cir-
cuit.
The prin-
cipal op-
ponents.
A friend
symj)a-
thises.
suspense. The Conference were sitting in Notting-
ham, and the next morning brought them the follow-
ing letter from their old friend, Mr, Josiah Bates, who
attended the meetings in the capacity of Book-Room
Treasurer :
Nottingham, 6th June, 1857.
" My dear Sir : — Your case has just been decided after a
discussion which commenced in the forenoon and terminated
with the day's sitting. You are to take a circuit, 40 in favour
of your present course, 44 in favour of your taking a circuit.
The feeling was strong against you. It was yesterday pro-
posed that I should be added to the Annual Committee in the
place of Mr. Heaps. But the Doctor (Dr. Crofts) opposed it on
the ground that I was too much mixed up with you. Nor did
they call me before them, although I requested it.
" The principal speakers against you are Crofts and P. J.
Wright. I tried hard to be the last speaker, but P. J. evi-
dently held back, and therefore I was obliged to speak. I re-
plied to every charge that had been contained in all the pre-
vious arguments, and am told I made a capital speech. How-
ever, we lost it.
" I cannot go into the details of the discussion for want of
time. I have no doubt the decision will spread wide dissatis-
faction, and I should not be surprised if it has to be revised.
" Make up your mind to the decision. It will work together
for our good. Of this I have not the shadow of a shade of
doubt. May God direct you into His will !
" With kind regards to Mrs. Booth, I remain in haste,
" Yours truly,
"Josiah Bates."
One of the leading officials of the Nottingham Cir-
cuit wrote at the same time as follows :
" I have no doubt that you will have had communicated to
you the decision of the Conference in respect to your future
labours. There were 40 for you remaining another year in
your present position, and 44 for your taking a circuit.
" I feel very much in my mind upon the subject, not so much
the decision, as to have seen and heard the determined oppo-
THE CONFERENCE OF 1837.
289
sition of some of the leading ministers. I can see the jealousy
lest you should become more useful than they. They seem to
assume the position as judges of the working of men's hearts
and motives. It touches their dignity. Though they wish to
say and do as they like, they cannot bear you to have the same
liberty. I cannot put on paper what my views are of the con-
duct of our Superintendent (Mr. Wright). He has done all he
could to lower you. He has lowered himself very much in
the eyes of many. His conduct at this Conference has served
to show that he will not scruple to do anything to gain his end,
" I am of opinion that if you take a circuit the Lord will open
your way and bless your labours. . . . You have many sin-
cere friends. I hope you will not be cast down, but still look
to God as you have done hitherto. I never yet saw a man
stand higher than his fellows, but envy soon arouses opposi-
tion. It always endeavours to pluck the finest fruit and to
destroy it. But your works are before God."
A formal letter was at the same time received by-
Mr. Booth from the Secretary to the Conference con-
veying the intelligence of the recent decision. To
this Mr. Booth replied as follows:
"June, 1857.
" To THE Secretary of the New Connexion Conference.
" My dear Sir : — Yours containing the decision of Confer-
ence on my case is to hand this morning, and I must confess
it has caused me very considerable surprise. Looking at it
merely as affecting my personal comfort I make no complaint,
as a year or two's respite from the anxious toil I have been
engaged in of late, will be welcome to both body and mind.
But regarding it as the wish of the Conference that I should
cease from a path of labour to which it first appointed me, and
which has been so signally owned of God, and so constantly
eulogised by the wisest and best men in the Connexion, is to
me a matter of gravest import.
" And further, sir, no reasons are assigned for this desired
change. The Conference, I am sure, would not act without
reasons, and surely my brethren deem me worthy to be made
acquainted with them.
" Does the Conference take exception to the character of my
19
1857,
Age 28.
Take a
circuit.
The Sec-
retary's
letter.
Mr.
Booth's
rejjly.
No
reasons
given.
290 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, mission altogether, or is it the manner in which I have dis-
Age 28. charged it during the past year that has given offence? If the
former, I have nothing to say, but if fault has been found with
anything I have said or done, I claim the privilege of self-de-
fence. Surely in the New Connexion Conference flying re-
ports are not permitted to find utterance, and speeches un-
favourably affecting character are not listened to, without
giving the defamed an opportunity of defending himself.
A " So conscious was I of the integrity of my motives, utter-
siirprise. ^^^q^^ ^^^ actions, so satisfied was I that the bulk of the Church
was with me, and so certain did I feel that I was taking the
surest course to promote the highest interests of the Connex-
ion, that in looking forward to the Conference I never dreamed
it would for a moment entertain the proposition which you
forward to me as its prayerful and deliberate decision.
The ap- " During the two and a half years that I have travelled as an
'^^°fhe Evangelist my opinions have undergone no change; they
churches, have ever been outspoken. During that time every church
with which I have laboured has expressed most publicly and
unanimously its approbation of my labours. With two excep-
tions, the ministers have been as friendly and cordial as the
laymen. During this time no individual has met me with an
accusation, or made any objection to my measures in the
prayer meeting, or to my utterances on the platform and in the
A strange pulpit. It seems strange that after such uniform approbation
course. Qf j-j^y mission, and method of discharging it, that the Confer-
ence should be five hours debating the propriety of its con-
tinuance. You say in yours that the value of my special
labors have been 'fully and gratefully acknowledged,' but
that looking at the subject in all its important bearings it is
deemed best, on the whole, that for the present I receive the
appointment of a regular circuit. Now, all I ask, nay claim
as my due, is to know what these important bearings are for
which my special labours, acknowledged to be of value, are
to be discontinued.
" Believe me, to remain, dear sir,
" Yours very respectfully,
" William Booth."
In a letter written at the same time to Mr, and Mrs.
Mumford, Mr. Booth says;
THE CONFERENCE OF 1S57.
291
" You will have been expecting a line from us containing
Conference information, and now that our suspense is ended
in certainty, or nearly so, I take the first opportunity of send-
ing you a line. For some time I have been aware that a party
has been forming against me. Now it has developed itself
and its purpose. It has attacked and defeated my friends,
and my evangelistic mission is to come to an immediate con-
clusion. On Saturday, aftei a debate of five hours, in which I
am informed the bitterest spirit was manifested against me,
it was decided by 44 to 40 that I be appointed to a circuit.
The chief opponents to my continuance in my present course
are ministers, the opposition being led on by the Rev. P. J.
Wright and Dr. Crofts.
" I care not so much for myself. A year's rest will be very
acceptable. By that time, God will, I trust, make plain my
way before me, either to abide as a circuit preacher, or by
opening me a door which no man or number of men shall be
able to shut. My concern is for the Connexion — my deep
regret is for the spirit this makes manifest, and the base in-
gratitude it displays. However, I leave the matter with the
Lord. My work and my reputation are in His hands. I wait
the manifestation of His will, and wherever He points there
will I try to go."
Mrs. Booth, however, did not take so calm a view,
as will be seen from the following letters addressed to
her mother:
" You will see from William's letter what has been the sub
ject of our thoughts, and the cause of the anxiety we have ex-
perienced during the last few days. I have felt it far more
keenly than I thought I should ; in fact, it is the first real trial
of my married life.
" Personally considered I care nothing about it. I feel that
a year's rest in one place will be a boon to us both, and espe-
cially a relief from the wearying anxiety which my dear
husband has experienced of late. But as a manifestation of the
spirit of a handful of ministers towards him in return for his
toil — as an exhibition of the cloven foot of jealousy, and as
a piece of rank injustice in allowing lying reports to be reiter-
ated in open Conference, and this without any formal charges
having been brought or any inquiry as to their truthfulness
1857,
Age 28.
How it
hap-
pened.
The
ground
for his
regret.
Mrs.
Booth
feels it
keenly.
Her in
digna-
tion.
292
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28.
A sug-
gested
com-
piomise.
The ques-
tion of
traveUing
expenses.
instituted, I regard as little better than an old priestly persecu-
tion over again, and am ready to forswear Conferences for
ever! However, we shall see. We can afford to wait. A
year's rest will be an advantage to William's mind and body.
Time will do great things — the people will be able to look at
and contrast the year's returns. Our friends, whom this dis-
cussion has proved to be neither few nor feeble, will spread
their own report of the matter, and perhaps next Conference
the trumpet will sound on the ot/ier side. Anyhow, if God
wills him to be an evangelist. He will open up his way. I
find that I love the work itself far more than I thought I did,
and I am willing to risk something for it, but we shall see."
Writing again next day, Mrs. Booth says :
" Doubtless you will feel anxious to hear further particulars
after yesterday's budget. This morning's post brought us
several letters from Conference, causing lis considerable ex-
citement and anxiety. It appears tlaat the conduct of Mr. P. J.
Wright and others towards my dear husband has evoked a very'
strong feeling against them, and numerous voices of dissatis-
faction have been raised as to the manner in which our mis-
sion has been put down, and the way in whieh the votes were '
taken. There is to be an attempt this morning at a compro-
mise ; to send him to a circuit and yet let him visit several
places during the year, sending a supply to act for him, but
William will not agree to it. He will be either one thing or
the other, and if unworthy to be an evangelist altogether, he
declines to take the anxiety and responsibility of being one
at all.
" It appears that one of his opponents mooted the travel-
ling expenses as an argument against him, and made some
false statements which Mr. Bates has compelled him to re-
tract. Hereupon Mr. Woods, the old gentleman you heard
me talk about, and who was so kind to us at Nottingham, has
instructed the delegate for Nottingham to inform Conference
to-day that if it is a money question he will guarantee ,£50 for
the next year's travelling expenses — a larger sum than all
our present year's expenses put together. He is a noble old
gentleman. I always believed in him from our first interview,
I wrote to him last night myself, William being too much
pressed for time.
THE CONFERENCE OF 1857.
293
" William has asked for Derby as an appointment. To this
his opponents are not likely to agree, for though it is one
of the poorest places in the Connexion, it has only one
preacher, and therefore no superintendent to shackle him.
Mr. Bates wanted them to send for him yesterday to speak
for himself, bi:t, no thank you! They have no desire to
measure swords with him ! I must say I feel intensely an-
xious. Great interests are involved — far more than are seen
at first sight, but it is God's cause. I believe He will order
all for the best. I have no fears for the future. I have con-
fidence in my husband's devotion and capacity for something
greater yet, and I have confidence in God's over-ruling Provi-
dence. Pray for us that we may not err, but be guided into
His perfect will."
"June loth.
" Yours came to hand this morning. Thanks for all your
sympathy and counsel. It is very seasonable. William has
just returned from Nottingham. The arrangement that we
take a circuit stands good, and perhaps, all things considered,
it is best for one year. There seems a firm determination
that it shall not be for longer. Our appointment is to Halifax
circuit, and wafare to live at Brighouse."
1857,
Age 28.
Ap2ooint-
ed to
Brig-
house,
Among the additional reasons urged for this deci-
sion besides those vv^hich have been already noticed,
one was that Mr. Booth was gaining too great an
influence in the Connexion for so young and untried
a man. Another was that the following Conference
would be called upon to decide as to his capacity for
doing the work of a regular circuit preacher, and how
could they come to a just conclusion concerning him
unless he went through the ordinary routine? All
combined in holding out the most absolute certainty
of his being recalled to the evangelistic sphere at
the conclusion of the year. Mrs. Booth, however,
doubted the sincerity of the promise.
"I felt in my soul," she tells us, referring to the
matter at a much later period, " that it was the spirit
Further
reasons.
The
promise
of a re-
call.
Mrs.
Booth^s
fears.
294 MJ^S. BOOTH.
1857, of envy which had closed the sphere, and I could not
^^ ^ ■ but anticipate that the same spirit would keep it
closed so far as the Connexion was concerned. I
knew too much of Church history to expect that a
denomination, sunk into stereotyped forms, would
ever be wise enough to see the grandeur of such an
opportunity for getting out of its swaddling bands
and becoming a great national movement, instead of
remaining a little sectarian concern. They neither
had the wit to see their chance, nor to estimate the
qualities of the agent whom God's Providence had
thrown across their path.
A vision " That momiug as I lay in bed, for I was too ill to
future, leave the room, there dawned upon me a vision of
success, which has been marvellously realised in later
years. And I could have risen from my couch, bid
good-bye to the Connexion, and walked out with my
husband into the wide world without a fear. But I
could not make the General see with me^ He believed
in his simplicity that this clique of ministers would
repent of their action and that Conference would re-
call him to the work at the end of the year. He
Mr. Booth replied to my arguments that he loved the Connexion,
loved the ^ ^ ^
Connex- that he had been useful in it, that he wished to live,
and labour, and die in it, and that he hoped yet to be
the means of helping to build it up and make it a
great power in the world. A year, he urged, would
soon fly away, and it was possible that he might com-
pletely regain the confidence of his ministerial breth-
ren by thus submitting to their wishes. I predicted
that such would not be the case, and my forecast
proved in the end to be correct. For the time being,
however, I acquiesced in his decision, and we packed
up as quickly as possible and removed to our new
home."
ion.
THE CONFERENCE OF 1857.
295
Among his numerous friends were n°t ^■^"''"g
thos^who had less respect for authority than Mr,
Booth, and who urged him to break loose frorn th
Connexion, rather than submit to their de.s.on.
From one such he received the following letter.
•• I feel much concerned on your account, for it is not possi-
God and -iswherever you find an open doo. ^^^ ^^^^^^^^
cJnlTeLetard to -aTM:. clu^Jy, and fiad he con-
^:ntdT;.e a ^^ ^^^^:^:^i^i:z
::t IrtheTcSlhr do!: al^st M™. But an the
'harm .h! actli^ was to enlarge his heart, and to cause him to
en™ nto other chapels besides those of Wesleyans.
'"m; opinion is that if you resolve to follow the Lord fully
you will have to pass through the -me ordea I behe^e tto^
L far as the preachers have power, they will close the JNew
Colnexln^'lpits against you^ ,«""- f^J '^: T^
i„ every Conference, whether Episcopalian Wesley n New
ronnexion Primitive or Quaker. And tne oniy w<i>
men Is you and Caughey to escape the mental rack and hand
^,ff. is to take out a license to hawk salvation from the great
Ma^istrlte *ove. and absolutely refuse to have any other
"" 'oBrother Booth, if I could preach and floor the sinners
„ke°you can, I would not thank Queen Victoria to he ^y aunt
::reTrur2":.inh°:r:ts\ir:;^homihaveread,
Ca'gh'ey excepted, who has eqnaUed you ,r — -. eoii-
sidering the short time you have been at it. Ana 10 y
Iw the decrees of the New Connexion Confer^nc ^ or o^
any other conclave of men, to turn you -"^ «'°^j°^'°*;",|
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is what I ''^"'"°\°ff'°
ZH. I know what you feel and f also, have shed he big
-?at^\?t:'o:d"?aifn:wAtnd?:inkeep so. Vou
1857.
Age 28.
Conflict-
ing coun-
sels.
A hearty
tribute.
296
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28.
Why he
would not
do it.
The value
of organ-
isation.
Creating
a new
people.
The ne-
cessity for
organised
effort.
know what the wolf said to Towser, 'Half a meal with liberty
is better than a whole one without it!'
" With love to Mrs. Booth,
" I remain yours as square as a brick."
But Mr. Booth saw what his friend did not: that
the weak point of evangelistic efforts such as those of
Mr, Caughey was the want of connexion with some
suitable organisation which would give cohesion and
continuity to the work. His evangelistic experience
had taught him that some storage was necessary for
the Divine floods of influence and salvation that de-
scended in such abundant measure at these times, in
order to prevent them from evaporating, disappearing,
and being worse than lost. He was disappointed and
perplexed, it was true. The New Connexion had
promised to be just such a reservoir as he had desired.
He loved it. He had labored for it. And visions of
the world-wide organisation it might yet become had
inspired his heart. He could not believe that he was
to be disappointed, nor was there another people to
whom he could turn.
The daring idea of creating a people for himself
had not yet dawned upon his mind. The time for it
had not perhaps come. The requisite experience had
not been gained. The profound despair with what
existed had not yet sufficiently taken possession of his
soul to induce him to try his hand at anything better.
But the necessity of organised and united effort, as
distinguished from the minister-do-everything plan,
was a conviction of his soul. Never in his grandest
moments of success had he felt that he could dispense
with the service and assistance of others. His con-
stant complaint had been that he could not lay violent
hands upon a sufficient number of qualified persons
to help him at such times, but those whom he could
THE CONFERENCE OF 1857. 297
command he had gathered behind the communion 1857,
rails to form a praying band, or to deal with the pen-
itents, or had sent them out singing into the streets,
or visiting from house to house.
The idea of a church in which he was to be head His plan
of cam-
and tail, centre and circumference, alpha and omega, paign.
beginning and end, was foreign to his idea. It might
suit his less disciplined friends, but for his part he so
realised the value of law and order that he would
rather submit to a wrong order occasionally than have
no order at all. He would rather obey an envious
head than have none, and rather co-operate with jeal-
ous brethren than stand alone. He only aspired to
serve, providing he could serve successfully.
Mrs. Booth, as we have seen, was more of a radical. The Wes-
She had weighed up the Conference and had found it whUfieid
wanting. Her inclination would have led her rather '^day*!
to have chosen a lonely path than to have submitted
to a restricted one. Unlinked to Mr. Booth, she
would doubtless have been more of a free-lance Whit-
field than an organising Wesley. It was a happy
design of Providence which bound the Wesley and
the Whitfield of the present generation in so close
and indissoluble a union. For the present, however,
the die was cast, and Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded
to take up their appointment at Brighouse.
CHAPTER XXIX.
BRIGHOUSE. 1857-1858.
A gloomy The year spent by Mr. and Mrs. Booth at Brighouse
Stetson
was, perhaps, the saddest and most discouraging of
their whole ministerial career. In fact, there was
scarcely a single circumstance to relieve the gloom of
the situation. In the first place, they started with
heavy hearts, feeling that they had been unjustly
dealt with. Nor was there anything in the appoint-
ment itself calculated to compensate for the disap-
pointment. The superintendent was a sombre, fune-
real kind of being, very well-meaning no doubt, but
utterly incapable of co-operating with Mr. Booth in
his ardent views and plans for the salvation of the
* people.
No For Mrs. Booth the situation was peculiarly pain-
kmared » , 01 i ^ r-
spirit. ful. She had not in Brighouse a single lady friend
with whom she could have sympathetic communion.
Moroever, it was peculiarly trying to see her husband
spending and being spent on a small and struggling
cause, when the same amount of effort might have
resulted in the attraction of enormous crowds and in
the salvation of hundreds of souls, had they pursued
their evangelistic career. She writes the following
letter to her mother soon after her arrival :
"July, 1857.
The first " William preached here twice yesterday and led a love-
meetings. feast. Good congregations, and all seemed very well satisfied
except himself. There were three souls at night. Of course
298
BRIGHOUSE. 299
he cannot help making comparisons between this and his 1857,
former sphere of usefulness, and though this is unquestionably ^^^ ^8.
much easier, // is far less congenial. I don't think he will
ever feel right in it, neither do I believe the Lord intends that
he should. He generally adapts His instruments to the work
He marks out for them, and He has undoubtedly adapted my
dear husband for something very different to this. But we
will wait awhile.
" I can't say I like the place. It is a low, smoky town, and
we are situated in the worst part of it. However, we shall
make the best of it."
There was, however, a domestic event which served The hhth
perhaps, more than anything, to brighten the dull %diiing-
tedium of the Brighouse days. They had scarcely ^"""
settled in their new home when Mr. and Mrs. Booth
received for a second time, in the birth of their son
Ballington, the peculiar token of Divine favour which
only a parent's heart can fully appreciate. It was
indeed as a Gilead-balm to their wounded spirits,
cementing freshly the domestic bliss of their union,
which seemed but the brighter in contrast with the
present gloom of the outward prospect. How much
greater would have been their joy could they have
anticipated the still distant and uncertain future !
The history of the Salvation Army has been largely j^j^^ f^j^_
the history of its founders and of their family. It toryofa
■' -^ family.
presents the altogether unique spectacle of a great
religious organisation that has attained to world-wide
proportions, of which the embryonic germ was con-
tained within the four corners of a family, long before
it had burst into public notoriety. The earliest, and,
to this day, among the most effective of General
Booth's recruits, have been his own children. He The Gen-
wished, at first, that they had been less numerous, first re-
but when they came to take their places in helping
him to bear the burden and heat of the day, he was
500
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28.
A super-
ficial
criticism.
Israel a
family
affair.
The
Quakers.
only sorry, he tells us, that " instead of eight there
were not eighty!" Trained from childhood to obey,
in an age whose tendency is to overleap the traces of
parental authority, they have formed a valuable nu-
cleus, round which Mr. and Mrs. Booth have been
able to gather their recruits. Inspired from infancy
with the passion for souls which animated their pa-
rents, they have constituted an object-lesson to all
who have since joined them beneath the Salvation
Army flag.
It is true there are some, who are so difficult to
please and ready to find fault, that they raise objec-
tions to what is at once the strength and glory of the
movement, complaining that undue prominence has
been given to the members of the family. But it is
a singular fact that those who hold this opinion are
usually those who are the least acquainted with them,
and who therefore speak on such superficial grounds
that their opinion is entitled to but little weight.
They forget that one of the chief reasons why Abra-
ham became the recipient of the Divine promises was
the knowledge that he would "command his house,"
and that Eli became the object of a special curse for
his laxity in this respect. The whole house of Israel
was, after all, in a far stricter sense, a " family affair."
The priestly house of Levi was the same. The Bible
abounds with examples of a similar character, and
contains numberless commands and promises to pa-
rents regarding the training of their children, and
the rewards that should accompany obedience. Their
" sons" and their " daughters" were to prophesy, as in
the case of Philip the Evangelist.
In modern days the history of the Quakers has
furnished most remarkable instances of a heredity of
holiness running through many generations and ex-
BRIG HOUSE. 301
tending over a period of two hundred years. Indeed, ^1^57.^
had Mr. and Mrs. Booth failed in this respect, it is
probable that such critics would have been the first irjoM/
to point the finger of scorn. But because they have foMcdf
succeeded to so marvellous a degree in persuading
their children to forego the pleasures and emoluments
of the world, when to do so has meant shame, reproach,
and suffering, some must needs cavil. Truly the
mysteries of criticism are unfathomable and its ways
past finding out! • . rr
"I will not have a wicked child," was the passionate ^J^^
and oft-repeated declaration of Mrs. Booth, who used ation
to pray in the very presence of her children that she ^^^^
might rather have to lay them in an early grave than Termer.
to mourn over one who had deserted the path of
righteousness. Her petition was more than granted,
and she had the satisfaction of seeing them all fully
consecrated to God's service. Indeed, it was one of
the peculiar powers of Mrs. Booth's ministry that she ^^^
could drive home her appeals to others by pointing to ^,.„^,.„„.
the example of her own family. The argument was
unanswerable. She was able to show that it was no
mere accident of nature or of circumstance that made
them differ so widely from others, but that by the
proper use of the necessary means others might
achieve what she had herself accomplished.
It is said of the celebrated violinist, Paganini, that 'n.e ^,
he could draw more music out of one string than mm.
others could out of five. But the monotone of the
one could not, after all, have equalled in the master s
hand the harmony of the five, and its music would
have been altogether marred had the remaining chords
been out of tune. Indeed the discord would have
been too painful to have been endured. And is it
not so with the family? How often is the domestic
302 MRS. BOOTH.
1857, harmony jarred by the fact that the majority of the
^^ ^ ■ strings are out of tune. True that one string is better
Domestic than none, and in some instances one string is all that
harmomj. ^^^ ^^ gained. But surely this renders only the more
striking and delightful the music of a family of which
each member is harmoniously attuned to the service
of God. Verily, it is one of the divinest spectacles
under Heaven, and one of the grandest trophies of
redeeming grace! In dealing with this subject Mrs,
Booth has remarked :
Putting " 'They have put their children into the movement,' people
then- chil- ^^ Yes, bless God! And if we had twenty, we would do so.
dren in. ■' ■'
But I stand here before God, and say that it is all from the
same motive and for the same end — the seeking and saving of
the lost. But I ask, How comes it to pass that these children
all grow up with this one ambition and desire? Is not this the
v,^. finger of God? Some of our critics don't find it so easy to
eas]i. ////their children where they want them to be! Could all the
powers of earth give these young men and women the sj>irit of
this work, apart from God? Some of you know the life of
toil, self-sacrifice, and devotion this work entails. What
could bring our children to embrace it without a single
human inducement such as influences other young people the
world over? As spirits are not finely touched but to fine
issues, so surely God hath fashioned their souls for the work
He wants them to do ; and though all the mother in me often
cries, 'vSpare them!' my soul magnifies the Lord, because He
hath counted me worthy of such honour."
^^'■s- In spite of its numerous drawbacks, the prolonged
Booth ^ . .
lends a stay in Brighouse was not without its advantages.
The .short time they were able to spend in the places
visited during their evangelistic tours, had afforded
Mrs. Booth but little scope for the exercise of her tal-
ents. Now, however, that they were settled down for
a year in a circuit, one of the first announcements
made by Mr. Booth to his office-bearers was that Mrs.
BRIGHOUSE.
303
Booth would shortly take the leadership of a class
among the female members who attended the chapel
in Brighouse, and would also teach some of the girls
belonging to the Sunday-school.
She describes her first meeting with the latter as
follows :
1857,
Age 28.
" I commenced teaching a class of girls on Sunday after-
noon in our own back parlour. I had a dozen selected out of
the Sunday-school for that purpose, the room being too close
for me to go there. I got on well, and the children seemed
very pleased. I am to have another girl on Sunday next— one
who has pleaded very hard to come. So you may picture
me on Sunday afternoons from two o'clock to half-past three
surrounded by thirteen girls, striving to sow the seeds of
eternal truth in their hearts and minds. Pray for my success.
T feel as though I am doing a little now, but oh, I want more
grace ! Gifts are not graces. Pray for me ! "
The Sun-
(laij-
Schnol.
She refers to her commencement with the senior
.class in the following letter:
" I begin my duties as a class-leader next Thursday after-
noon. Do remember it in prayer and meet me in spirit, and
ask wisdom and grace according to my great necessity. It
is an old established class, containing twenty-nine members,
many of them elderly people. It is against my judgment and
inclination. I wanted a new one consisting of young people.
But this class is distressed for want of a leader, and nothing
would do but that I must take it. So William introduced me
to them last Thursday, and led it for me for the first time. I
spoke and prayed and felt it good, but it seemed rather new
to me, after so long an interval. I don't know how I shall
get on. I don't fear anything but lack of spiritual power. It
will be a beginning, and perhaps I shall gain confidence to
undertake something more important in another circuit."
Writing a few days later Mrs. Booth says:
" I met my class yesterday for the first time, and got on
better than I expected. There were twenty-two members
Her
senior
class.
Her first
class-
meeting.
304
MRS. BOOTH.
1857,
Age 28.
Plough-
ing on a
rock.
Pining
for a
revival.
present. I felt it to be a good time, and so I think did they,
at least I heard some expressions of satisfaction and pleasure.
I felt very tremulous at first, but gained confidence and free-
dom as I went on. I feel a good deal exhausted, but other-
wise no worse.
A little later Mr. Booth sends a further account of
these meetings:
" Kate had a very good class yesterday afternoon, twenty-
three present and all full of glory. The people speak very
highly of her. She seems to be far more successful in pleas-
ing the folks than poor me. It has been very hard work, but
I have managed so far, and I shall go on until Conference.
Labour in this circuit is the most like ploughing on a rock of
anything I ever experienced in my life. I concluded the
special services on Monday night. They are the most im-
pregnable people I ever attempted to impress. The last night
was, however, a good one. We took twenty-six names, some
of them very good cases, making about 120 during the ser-
vices.
" Since then for three nights I have been preaching in a small
village about two miles from here. We have had good con-
gregations and have taken above thirty names. However, I
am, after all, only happy in a flood-tide of salvation, and I fancy
I am best adapted to serve God, the church, and my genera-
tion as an evangelist. I wish I was independent of all con-
claves, councils, synods, and conferences. I would then
evangelise after my own heart's plan and to my heart's con-
tent."
Mrs.
BooWs
first pub-
lic effort.
The tem-
perance
question.
If, however, Brighouse had been remarkable for
nothing else, it would have been memorable as the
place where Mrs. Booth made her first public effort.
As early as January, 1857, the idea had occurred to
Mr. Booth that Mrs. Booth, being so deeply interested
in the temperance question, might with advantage
to the work give a series of lectures. He was quite
certain that she possessed the requisite ability, the
only question being as to whether she could sufficiently
BRIG HOUSE. 305
overcome her constitutional timidity. While in Brig- ^1^857,^^
house, however, an opportunity presented itself for
making an experiment in this direction with the
Junior Band of Hope connected with the chapel.
Referring to this proposal, Mrs. Booth writes to
her father as follows :
"December 7th. 1857.
" Thanks for your hints for my meeting. (Mr. Muraford j^^f^'^^_
was himself a temperance lecturer.) If I get on well and find ing'of'the
I really possess any ability for public speaking, I don't intend Mure.
to finish with juveniles. If there is any reasonable hope of
success I shall try at something higher. When we were in .
Cornwall, I went to hear a popular female lecturer, and felt
much encouraged to make an attempt. If I could do so, I
should be able to fit in with William's effort on his evangelis-
tic tours nicely. I only wish I had begun years ago. Had I
been fortunate enough to have been brought up amongst the
Primitives, I believe I should have been preaching now. You
laugh! But I believe it. The cares of a family and the
bothers of a house now preclude any kind of labour that re-
quires much study, but I don't think lecturing on temperance
would need much."
"23d December, 1857.
" I addressed the Band of Hope on Monday evening, and got g^^-^g ^t
on far better than I expected. Indeed, I felt quite at home on home^on
the platform, far more so than I do in the kitchen ! There platform.
were a few adults present, and they seemed quite as much
interested and pleased as the children. One of them, Wil-
liam says, is the most intelligent gentleman in our congre-
gation. I got abundantly complimented, and had the most Abun-
pleasing evidence of the gratification and delight of the eom2}li-
children. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, the 29th. I ex- mented.
pect a large increase in the attendance. If I get on I shall
give a lecture to the females of Brighouse first, and then to a
mixed audience. But I must not be too sanguine. Perhaps
I may lose my confidence next time. I am so anxious to suc-
ceed for the cause's sake. I hope my dear father will not
forget his promise to help me by sending me some hints. 4 ;,^„^,j^
" The coming week will be a heavy one. We have a tea- iveek.
3o6
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
Another
meeting.
No retri-
butive
Provi-
dence.
The
training
of
children.
meeting here on Monday, the Band of Hope on Tuesday, out
to spend the day at Elland on Wednesday, my class on
Thursday, and a tea-meeting at Halifax on Friday, to which
they want me and Willie to go. So you see I shall be quite
busy."
" 6th January, 1858.
" It is my Band of Hope meeting to-night, and I have not
above an hour to prepare. I did not get on so well last week,
because William and Miss Newbury were there, making me
feel less self-possessed. Still, I did not flounder, nor talk
incoherently. Miss Newbury and William both think I ought
to be very much encouraged, but I find it so difficult to
sufficiently abstract myself from household matters for the
necessary study."
How complete was their domestic happiness may
be judged from the following letter of Mrs. Booth to
her mother :
" The children are well. They are two beauties. Oh, I
often feel as though they cannot be mine ! It seems too much
to be true that they should be so healthy, when I am such a
poor thing ! But it appears as if the Lord had ordered it so,
while many whom I know, who are far healthier and stronger
than ourselves, have delicate children. I sometimes think it
is a kind of reward to William for his honourable fidelity to
me, notwithstanding my delicate healt hand his many tempta-
tions before we were married. I believe in a retributive
Providence, and often try to trace domestic misery to its
source, which is doubtless frequently to be found in the con-
duct of men towards their early loves. God visits for such
things in a variety of ways. Bless the Lord, we are reaping
no such fruits. The curse of no stricken heart rests on our
lot, or on our children, but in peace and domestic happiness
we 'live and love together. ' ' Praise God from whom all bless-
ings flow!'
" Willie gets every day more lovable and engaging and
affectionate. He manifests some very pleasing traits of char-
acter. You would love to see him hug Ballington and offer
him a bit of everything he has! He never manifests the
slightest jealousy or selfishness towards him, but on the con-
BRIGHOUSE. 307
trary he laughs and dances when we caress baby, and when it 1858,
cries he is quite distressed. I have used him to bring me the "£^ ^9-
footstool when I nurse baby, and now he runs with it to me
as soon as he sees me take him up, without waiting to be
asked, a piece of thoughtfulness I seldom receive from older
heads ! Bless him ! I believe he will be a thoroughly noble
lad, if I can preserve him from all evil influences. The Lord
help me ! I have had to whip him twice lately severely
for disobedience, and it has cost me some tears. But it has
done him good, and I am reaping the reward already of my
self-sacrifice. The Lord help me to be faithful and firm as a
rock in the path of duty towards my children !"
CHAPTER XXX.
BRIGHOUSE. 1858.
Another
spinal
attack.
Her plans
frus-
trated.
A
crippled
body.
The commencement of the new year was darkened
for Mrs. Booth by an exceptional cloud of suffering.
She was threatened with a return of the spinal malady
which had previously afflicted her, and entertained
serious thoughts of placing herself under galvanic
treatment, from which she had formerly received
great benefit.
" I have only been to chapel twice during the last
month," she writes to her mother, "and had to come
away each time, once being carried out, I was so faint
and ill. It is the Band of Hope meeting to-night, but
I dare not go. I have not been able to attend it for
six weeks. So are my plans frustrated with a be-
crippled body ! I must say I am almost weary of it, and
sometimes feel that if it were not for the children it
would be nice to lay this troublesome, crazy body down.
" William was talking the other day about the dif-
ferent bodies we shall have after the resurrection.
I replied that I hoped so, for I should never want to
find mine any more. I would leave it to the worms
for an everlasting portion, and prefer to live without
one ! It is much harder to suffer than to labour, es-
pecially when you have so many calls on your atten-
tion. It is so different lying ill in bed now, with two
children, perhaps one crying against the other, to
what it used to be with no responsibility or care, and
a kind, loving mother to anticipate every want! But
308
BRIGHOUSE. 309
enough ! The cup which my Father hath given me 1858,
shall I not drink it? Especially seeing it is so-much ^^ ^^'
better than I have merited."
In February, however, Mrs. Booth had sufficiently Mr.
recovered to accompany her husband to Sheffield, bc^usVs
where it had been arranged for the baby to be bap- ^"ton,^
tised by Mr. Caughey, who happened to be visiting
England at the time. The early and solemn dedica-
tion of their children to the service of God had always
appeared to Mr. and Mrs. Booth both a duty and a
privilege, and although the ceremony of baptism was
afterwards abandoned for reasons which are elsewhere
explained, the obligation to publicly consecrate them
to a life of holiness, sacrifice, and warfare, was ad-
hered to. Indeed, some of the most powerful and
successful meetings held in the Salvation Army are
those in which parents dedicate their children to God,
the occasion being utilised for seeking the salvation
and sanctification of all present.
Mrs. Booth describes the visit to Sheffield and her
impressions of the famous evangelist in the follow-
ing letter :
Sheffield, February.
" There was a very large meeting on Tuesday night. Up- Mrs.
ward of twelve hundred sat down to tea. We were at the Booth de-
same table with Mr. Caughey, and William had some conver- Caughey.
sation with him. On Wednesday we dined with him at the
house where he is staying, and enjoyed a rich treat in his
society. He is a sweet fellow, one of the most gentle, loving,
humble spirits you can conceive of. He treated us with great
consideration and kindness, conversed with William on his
present and future position like a brother, and prayed for us
most fervently.
" On Thursday morning he called at Mr. Wilkins' and a solemn
baptised our dear Ballington in the presence of a few friends. <'^''^"^o"!/-
It was a very solemn and interesting ceremony. He asked
for him the most precious of all blessings, and dedicated him
3IO
JJJ?S. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
Mr. Cau-
ghey's
advice.
to God most fervently, afterwards placing his hand on his head
and blessing him in the name of the Lord. He wrote me an
inscription for my Bible, and took leave of us most affection-
ately, expressing the deepest interest in our future, and a de-
sire to know the proceedings of the next Conference in
William's case. I cannot describe — I must leave you to im-
agine, the effect of all this on my mind. After almost ador-
ing his very name for ten years past to be thus privileged was
Rev. James Caughey.
well nigh too much for me. When he took leave of me, I
pressed one fervent kiss on his hand, and felt more gratified
than if it had been Queen Victoria's."
Hearing him preach and speak encouraged Mrs.
Booth to hope for an equally useful career for her hus-
band, and it was natural that Mr. Booth should con-
.sult Mr. Caughey as to his future. The latter had
passed through a very similar experience with the
American branch of the Wesleyan body, resigning
his position as a pastor rather than be confined to a
BRIGHOUSE. 311
circuit. He counselled Mr. Booth to wait patiently 1858,
until he had been ordained and received into full con- ^^ ^^*
nexion by the Conference, since the time for doing so
was now close at hand, and Mr. Caughey considered
that this would give him a special status, both in Eng-
land and America, which might prove of service to him
in the future. At the same time he assured Mr. Booth
that whether in the Connexion, or out of it, there was
undoubtedly awaiting him a career of wide-spread
usefulness.
Thirty years later, as General of the Salvation The Gen-
,, _ 1 -!• 1- ••,• A • 111 end meets
Army, Mr. Booth, durmg his visit m America, called canghey
upon Mr. Caughey, who had then for some time retired y"ari
from active labour owing to old age and increasing ^"*^'''
infirmities. It was with tears of joy that the veteran
embraced his former friend, and, after an affecting
interview — the last they were destined to have upon
earth — Mr. Caughey laid his hands upon the head of Mr. Cau-
the fellow-laborer to whose life his own had served blesses the
to lend an added inspiration, and with his eyes lifted
to Heaven, gave him his solemn and farewell blessing.
Since that remarkable interview Mr. Caughey has
gone to his reward, but before his death the baby boy
whom in Sheffield he had dedicated to God had grown
to manhood, and, in company with a devoted and tal-
ented life-partner, had taken his place at the head of a
widespread and powerful organisation in the United
States.
There was little else of an exceptional character factory
that marked the remainder of the stay in Brighouse, qMs.
but there is a reference in one of Mrs. Booth's letters
to the condition of the factory girls in the town, and
as the subject is one that has considerably exercised
the public conscience for some time past, and is likely
to occupy the attention of the legislature, her early
312
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
views on the question are of more than passing inter-
est. As usual, she strikes directly at the root of the
evil and seeks to devise some remedy for it :
Mrs.
Booth 's
views.
TJnxvo-
manising
influence.
A pitiable
pros])ect.
Legal
prohibi-
tion .
The Con-
ference.
" I wish you could see the troops of young girls who turn
out of these Yorkshire factories and mills, with their blue
smock pinafores, handkerchiefed heads, and beclogged feet.
They begin to work as half-timers when they are seven or
eight years old, and after a little while are able to earn eight or
nine shillings a week. In a family of three or four girls, with
perhaps a drunken father, it is a great temptation to the mother
to let her girls go to the mill. Indeed, parents seem to lose
sight altogether of the demoralising and unwomanising influ-
ence of the system. I never met with such a 'pounds, shill-
ings, and pence' people in my life. They seem to have lost
sight of every consideration — comfort, respectability, and
everything else — for the 'brass,' as they call it. I know peo-
ple, whom to look at in their homes you would think to be
quite poor, who are really worth hundreds of pounds.
" I was out for a little walk with a friend yesterday, when
we met a troop of factory girls going to dinner. I observed
that it augured discouragingly for the future of our country,
this horrible system of employing our young women in fac-
tories. What pitiable wives and mothers they will make !
Mothers! Alas, I should say bearers of children, for we have
lamentable evidence that in everything desirable to the sacred
relationship they are awfully deficient. I see no help for it
but a law prohibiting young girls under twenty from working
in factories before one o'clock. This would oblige them to
attend to domestic matters in the forenoon, and in numbers
of instances to seek situations as household servants. I wish
some one would begin to agitate the subject in the news-
papers."
But the time for the annual meeting of Conference
was drawing near, and the all-absorbing question as
to its probable attitude in regard to the future en-
grossed the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Booth. They
approached some of their ministerial opponents, but
found them no more willing to agree to the evangel-
BRIGHOUSE.
313
istic work than they had been a year ago. Judging
from the attitude of even the more friendly preachers
it was easy to gather that the hopes that had been
held out by the previous Conference, and which had
formed so strong a part of the inducement to acquiesce
in the decision, would probably fall through. Mrs.
Booth writes to her parents as follows :
" William was at Halifax on Sunday and opened the service
for Mr. Cooke, who was preaching there and who called to see
us yesterday. We were rather disappointed with him. He
does not seem so thorough on the subject of William's work
as we expected. Well, we must trust in the Lord, and seek
to know His will, for cursed is he who trusteth in man and
maketh flesh his boast. Mr. W\ Mills told William at
Sheffield that he believed him better adapted for the evangel-
istic work than Mr. Caughey— but, but! Ah, I know 7vhat, as
Mr. Caughey says!"
In a subsequent letter Mrs. Booth adds:
" We have no fresh news of a Connexional character. We
don't anticipate William's reappointment to the evangelistic
work. All the whispers we hear on the subject seem to pre-
dict the contrary. No, the spirit among the opposing few
who put him down is, I fear, as rampant now as it was then,
and his having gone through a circuit with all its usual rou-
tine will not appease it. The opposition party will, however,
have to make it manifest what manner of spirit they are of.
for the question this time will be thoroughly thrashed out.
We are seeking direction from above, and are endeavouring
to consecrate ourselves freshly to God, promising that if He
but clearly shows us His will in the matter, we will walk in
it at any cost. If we go to a circuit it will probably be Hali-
fax, for they seem determined to have us."
Although the Brighouse circuit had, in the first
instance, extended to Mr. and Mrs. Booth but a cool
reception, when the time for the Conference drew
near the local officials met together and presented a
unanimous request for the prolongation of their stay
1858,
Age 29.
rnwilling
to keep
their
pledge.
Waverers.
The ap-
proach ■
ing con-
test.
The cir-
cv. it invite
them to
remain.
314
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
But then
decline.
Mr. Booth
j.s or-
dained.
Hands
en.
Hands
off-
The
circuits
petition.
during another year. Mr. and Mrs. Booth, however,
declined the offer, believing that, whether they re-
turned to the evangelistic work or not, a change of
appointment would be beneficial.
The Conference met in May at Hull. Mr. Booth
was unanimously received into what is termed full
connexion, his four years of probation now having
expired. He was accordingly summoned to present
himself for ordination. This was a somewhat for-
midable ceremony. The President for the year, and
the ex- Presidents of former years, stood upon the plat-
form for the purpose of " laying hands" on the candi-
dates, who were previously called upon to give an
account of their conversion, and of their reasons for
seeking ordination.
Mr. Booth had stipulated with some of those in
whose piety and devotion he thoroughly believed,
that he should be near them and reap whatever ad-
vantage might accrue from their faith and prayers^
while there were others whom he studiously avoided,
feeling that if the laying on of their hands involved the
impartation of the character and spirit they possessed,
he would rather dispense with it!
The question of his re-appointment to evangelistic
work had not as yet come up for the consideration of
the Conference. A number of circuits had petitioned
in favour of the proposal, and Mr. Booth's friends
were prepared to push the matter vigorously when it
was brought forward for discussion. The following
characteristic letter from him just after he had re-
ceived his ordination describes the situation:
" 29th May, 1858.
J^J^ " I have just been to Hull to receive the rite of ordination.
Booth's I understand that my reception into full connexion was most
cordial and thoroughly unanimous. The service was an in-
BRIG HO USE. 315
teresting one. I was surprised to find so large a number of 1858,
revival friends at the Conference. John Ridgway, William Age 29.
Mills, William Cooke, Turnock, and many others are anxious
on the question of my re-appointment to evangelistic work.
Birmingham, Truro, Halifax (my own circuit), Chester,
Hawarden, and Macclesfield have presented memorials pray-
ing Conference to reinstate me in my former position. The
discussion had not come on when the business closed last
night.
•' I understand I have won golden opinions by my deport- Winning
ment during the year. I cannot understand this, because I ^^^^f^^ns
am conscious that I have not served the Connexion to any-
thing like the extent I have done formerly. But I have kept by keep-
quiet, and that for a young man is very proper! " ^"^ ^^"^*'
At this juncture a Mr. Halliwell, who had been one a com-
of the most rabid opponents of the evangelistic work suggistTd.
at the previous Conference, came forward and sug-
gested a compromise. His proposition was that Mr.
Booth should agree to go to a circuit for another year,
at the end of which he should be recalled to revival
work by the unanimous vote of the Conference. Mr.
Halliwell offered himself to propose this resolution,
which was to be drawn up by Mr. Booth's friends.
The compromise was accepted, though at a subsequent
date Mr. Booth was not a little chagrined to find that
the resolution in question made no mention of the
stipulated restoration to the evangelistic sphere.
Meanwhile, no sooner had it become known that Gates-
. , 1 head
Mr. Booth was likely to take a circuit, than the lay claims his
delegate from Gateshead put forth his utmost influ-
ence to secure his services. Not that the prospect
was a specially inviting one. The cause in Gateshead
was very low. Nominally there were some ninety
members on the rolls of the town chapel (Bethesda, as
it was called), but few of these attended class, and the
ordinary Sunday-night congregation only numbered
services.
3i6 MJiS. BOOTH.
1858, about one hundred and twenty. Still, these were
Age 29. (jig^c^ii-igs which did not daunt Mr. Booth. The
The in- people were anxious to have him, and this in itself
accepted, promised well for their hearty co-operation in any
efforts that he might put forth. The town was a
large one, numbering at that time a population of
about 50,000. And just across the waters of the Tyne
was the mother city of Newcastle. Realising, there-
fore, that the town and neighbourhood afforded so
large a scope for his labours, Mr. Booth consented to
the appointment.
Mrs. To this arrangement Mrs. Booth reluctantly agreed.
luctantiy She could uot but feel the injustice of the action of
agrees. ^-^^ Conference, nor fail to doubt the future fulfilment
of their present pledge. Nevertheless, having disin-
terestedly committed her cause to the One whose will
she sought above all else to follow, she started for
Gateshead with the settled conviction that the ap-
pointment would prove to be among the "all things"
that "work together for good."
CHAPTER XXXI.
GATESHEAD. THE CONVERTING SHOP.
1858.
The change from Brighouse to Gateshead was like ^4 wann-
a transfer from the North Pole to the Equator. Al- peojoie.
though the members were not numerous, they were
warm-hearted. In bygone years the cause had been
a flourishing one, but it had been wrecked by a min-
ister who had previously been most useful. From
being an earnest and successful preacher, he had so
completely backslidden as to become an infidel lect-
urer, and although before his death he gave true signs
of genuine penitence, he was never able to undo the
mischief that his conduct had wrought. How true
is it that
" The evil that men do lives after them !
The good is oft interred with their bones !"
Not only so, but even during life, it is found easier An uphui
to undo the good we have done, than to remedy the
evil. At any rate it was so in the present case. The
Gateshead circuit had received a blow from which it
had hitherto been unable to recover. Its membership
had dwindled, soul-saving had become almost un-
known, debts had been contracted, and pastor after
pastor had vainly striven to lift it out of its slough
of despond with little or no success. Nevertheless a
faithful few had struggled on in the dark, believing
that a brighter day would sooner or later dawn. By
317
3i8
AIRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
Delighted
at the
appoint-
ment.
The
people.
The
chapel.
Hopes
realised.
these the appointment of Mr. Booth was hailed with
unfeigned delight.
"They had a social tea-meeting last evening,"
writes Mrs. Booth to her parents, as soon as she
could put pen to paper in her Gateshead home, " to
welcome us into the Circuit, and we were highly grat-
ified, I can assure you. In fact, you could hardly
conceive a more marked contrast than between our
reception here and at Brighouse. It is all we can de-
sire. The leading men say they have got the best
appointment in the Connexion. I wish you could
have heard Mr. Firbank's speech, the gentleman who
went to Conference as their delegate. He told us
afterward some of the remarks made to him by several
of the leading members of the Conference, when the
first reading came out with our names down for
Gateshead, such as 'Don't you wish you may get it!'
'It's too good to stand!' etc. It enlightened us
much as to the estimate in which, after all, the bulk of
the Conference hold William's ability and value to
the Connexion.
" Well, the people here seem unanimous in their sat-
isfaction and cordiality. I like them much, so far as
I have seen them. They appear intelligent and warm-
hearted. The chapel is a beautiful building, and
seats 1,250, they say. I have consented to meet a
class again, provided I can have it at home, as the
chapel is more than half a mile distant, and it is up-
hill coming back."
The bright anticipations with which the people met
their new pastor were more than realised. The con-
gregations began rapidly to increase. At the very
first Sunday-night meeting six persons professed sal-
vation, and the occasion was made the more interest-
ing by what was then an unheard-of novelty — the
THE CONVERTING SHOP.
319
minister's wife leading off in prayer at the conclusion
of the sermon !
Before many weeks had passed the attendance at
Bethesda Chapel had doubled and quadrupled, till at
length not only was every seat taken, but it was not
uncommon for the aisles and every available spot to
be occupied so that some two thousand persons were
crowded within the walls. The fame of the work
spread all around and gained for the chapel the sou-
briquet of the "Converting Shop." If the title was
not dignified, it was at least very significant, and
served, perhaps, to pave the way for the similar com-
monplace epithets which were to distinguish the poor
man's cathedrals of the Salvation Army. The public-
houses which cater for the taste of the very classes
whom the Salvation Army was afterwards to reach,
have long recognised the value of this peculiar species
of nomenclature, and it is interesting to trace thus
early the introduction of the dialect of the common
people. Neither was it to be confined to the names
of places. The familiar phraseology of the taproom
was hereafter to be adopted to an extent that caused
considerable alarm among those who confound rever-
ence with refinement, and who are more afraid of
vulgarity than of sin. To such it has seemed little
vShort of blasphemy to dub a church a "barracks," to
speak of a preacher as a "Hallelujah lass" or "lad,"
a " Happy Eliza," or a "Glory Tom," — to call a meet-
ing a "free-and-easy," and, in short, to adopt the
every-day language of the poor.
It is worth noting, however, that nearly every such
expression has been coined by the people themselves,
often by the unconverted roughs who form the bulk
of our open-air congregations. They have suited the
popular taste, and thus have spread from one place to
1858,
Age 29.
Crowded
out.
The Con-
verting
Shop.
The value
of si^ich
nomen-
clature.
Vidganty
not sin,
nor irrev-
erence.
Carried
by the
people.
320
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
The Gel-
avoonka-
rayas,
and Bat-
chagars.
Book-lan-
guage.
Theology.
'Hie lan-
guaqe of
the
people.
another, in exactly the same manner as the early-
Christians were derisively nicknamed in Antioch, or
the Quakers, Methodists, and Teetotallers in later
days. In Ceylon a Salvationist is familiarly known
among Buddhists as a " Gelavoonkaraya" — Saviour —
while in South India, in expression of the same idea,
the Hindoos reckon that he belongs to the Ratchagar
caste. PAX popular movements are bound more or less
to partake of this character. Nor is it complained of
in politics, where we tolerate the existence of Whigs,
Tories, Jingoes, Mugwumps, and similar vulgarities.
There can be little doubt that the adoption of a
stilted, unnatural, highflown, bookish phraseology in
matters pertaining to religion has served largely to
alienate the lower classes from its pursuit. Ministers
talk a foreign language, largely learned from books.
Theology has long since been divorced from the
vulgar colloquial of the common people, and has been
united in matrimony to the language of a bygone age.
Hence it has had to content itself for its conquests
with those who have been sufficiently educated to un-
derstand its terms.
A deep principle underlies this fact. To become
familiar with the thoughts and feelings, the sorrows
and aspirations of the multitude, we must speak their
language, and surely without such familiarity we
cannot hope to grapple with their circumstances, and
convince them of the truths we proclaim. True, lan-
guage is but a vehicle for expressing our thoughts.
It is the spirit embodied in our words that makes or
mars our efforts. Nevertheless, if the right spirit
exists, it necessarily follows that it will invariably
lead to the choice of such language as will the most
readily convey its meaning. Why should it select
the high-flown phrases of conventionality, when it
cient
(jalley.
THE CONVERTING SHOP. 321
finds ready for its use expressions full of force, mean- 1858,
ing and vitality, any more than we should prefer a trip ^^ ^^'
across the Atlantic in the facsimile of Christopher .4 mod-
Columbus's galley rather than in a modern steamer. to\mYin.
It is true there are those who regret the exchange
from the spotless decks and snowy canvas of the for-
mer to the coal dust, noise, and machinery of the lat-
ter. But when it comes to the question of a voyage
there are few who would prefer even the most recent
versions of the sailing ship to its more grimy but
swift competitor. If, indeed, men were bent on recre-
ation rather than business, it might be otherwise.
And perhaps this may be the explanation of the
strange perversity with which, in religious matters,
an opposite course is pursued, that so few make the
salvation of the masses the business of their lives and
the subject of absorbing study.
But, however this may be, Bethesda Chapel certainly
took a new lease of life from the time that it was pop-
ularly christened the "Converting Shop."
The first year spent by Mr. and Mrs. Booth in The birth
Gateshead was signalled by the birth of their eldest Mnr^-
daughter, Catherine, now Mrs. Booth-Clibborn, better '^*"^'
known to the public as the " Marechale." This inter-
esting event took place on the i8th of September,
1858. "Baby is a little beauty," reports Mr. Booth
to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, "a perfect gem, healthy
and quiet, and is altogether all the fondest grandfather
or grandmother could desire. I am sure you ought
to send us a vote of thanks, passed unanimously, for
conferring such honor upon you."
The vote of thanks asked for by Mr. Booth was The vote
to come from quarters of which he had then not the ^•^"'""'''^•
faintest suspicion. The baby girl that Mrs. Booth
clasped with such fondness to her heart, telling her
322 MRS. BOOTH.
1858, mother that she loved her better than the rest, be-
^^^ ^^' cause the others being boys were better able to look
after themselves, was to be the first missionary of the
family, and the love and blessing of thousands of
French and Swiss converts were yet to be hers.
Writing to her mother Mrs. Booth says:
The habii. " ^s to the baby, I suppose yot: will think me like all
mothers when I say she is a little beauty! Her hair is ex-
actly the color of mine. She has a nice nose and mouth, a
fine forehead, and a plump round face. William thinks she is
more like me than any of them. She is the picture of health
and happiness and thrives daily. Now I hope this description
is particular enough even for a grandmama."
^„ ^11 A series of revival services were inaugurated, com-
daji of mencing on Whit-Monday with an entire day of fast-
and ffist- {ng and prayer, lasting from seven in the morning
till ten at night — the first " all day of prayer" of which
we have any record, and the precursor of the many
"all days," "all nights," and "two days with God,"
which have since been made a blessing to so many
thousands. And yet, from the very commencement
of Mr. Booth's ministry, Sunday had been practi-
cally spent as an " all day. " The possibility of extend-
ing the idea to week-days, and especially to holidays,
was, however, a later development. Hence the first
experiment in this direction is of special interest.
A s2oeciai It was followcd by ten weeks of special services, the
^ ' whole town being previously canvassed with bills
which were distributed from house to house, Mrs.
Booth herself undertaking one district which con-
tained about a hundred and fifty houses. As a result
Three of this effort more than three hundred persons pro-
penitents. fessed to be converted, many of whom were young
men who not only became useful members of the
THE CONVERTING SHOP. 323
church but afterwards rose to positions of distinction 1858,
as mayors, aldermen, magistrates and ministers. ^^ ^^'
At the commencement of the revival Mr. Booth A-praxi-
made out a long list of names of those for whose sal- "'^ ^*^'
vation he was specially solicitous, and it was with
great joy that he found at the conclusion of the meet-
ings that nearly all of them had been converted. In
one case there was a family of sixteen members, all of The
1 11 r T . /- T 1 ii famihf of
whom had professed to rind peace, and there were sixteen.
several other entire families of six or eight members.
In one large workshop on the Tyne, the men in the
cooperage department — an exceptionally drunken set
— all professed conversion, with one solitary exception.
And a number of men employed in a cement factory
gave a similar testimony.
The meetings are described by Mrs. Booth in the
following letter:
" William is to conduct a union prayer-meeting next Friday r/jg
nisfht in the Wesleyan Chapel. The whole town is moved, chairman
His name is a regular topic of conversation m tne large iron and-casy.
and railway works, some of which employ 1,200 men. On
Tuesday night they had one man at the rail who said he
was chairman of a public-house 'free-and-easy,' but that he
should drop it, go home, and burn ail his song books. One of
our people saw him the other day, in the place where he
works, surrounded by a lot of rough fellows, who were 'chair-
ing ' him (carrying him round the works in a chair) in honour
of his conversion. But, though they jeer and ridicule him
in every possible way, he still holds on. May the Lord
strengthen him.
" We were never in a work where the cases were so satis- The
factory. Nearly all are adults, and many are intelligent, edu- converts.
Gated, and respectable. Some single instances would satisfy
many a preacher of the jog-trot sort for a whole year's labour.
The congregations, too, have kept up amazingly. In fact they
have continued improving, vast numbers of strangers coming
every night."
324
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
A recog-
nition
meeting.
A strik-
ing scene.
The open-
air ivork.
Finances
improve.
The series of services closed with a " recognition
meetinof" for the new converts, at which Mrs. Booth
was present, and of which she sends the following
account to her mother :
" I ventured to chapel on Tuesday night to the public recog-
nition service. The persons brought to God since we have
been here were admitted by ticket into the body of the chapel,
while the old members and the public occupied the gallery.
It would have done your soul good to have seen the bottom
of that large chapel almost full of new converts, most of them
people in middle life, and a great proportion men.
" William gave them an address composed of various coun-
sels respecting their future course, which if they adopt they
will do something for this poor world of ours.
" On the whole it has been a glorious year for this circuit,
such an one as nobody expected to see. And I believe Wil-
liam has become the most popular and beloved minister either
in Gateshead or Newcastle. All praise unto Him, Whose
doing it is! "
Another special feature of the Gateshead campaign
was its open-air work. This was an entire novelty in
the town. The members were organised into a pro-
cession every Sunday evening and paraded the streets
from five to six o'clock, singing as they went, and
stopping at suitable intervals for the delivery of brief
and pointed exhortations to the unconverted persons
who crowded round the ring. On several occasions
bands of men were sent out by the publicans to sing
down the processionists, who not unfrequently started
singing a hymn to the same popular tune, thus de-
feating the would-be disturbers with their own
weapons.
The spiritual revival was accompanied by an en-
couraging improvement in the financial position of
the circuit. Not only were the old debts wiped off,
but the funds became sufficient to support three in-
THE CONVERTING SHOP. 325
stead of two ministers, and to meet with ease all the 1858,
current liabilities. It would have been possible at ^^
the previous Conference for Mr, Booth to have se-
cured his appointment to a circuit the financial pros-
perity of which had been already assured, but this
with him was always a secondary consideration. He
argued that the best way to ensure the financial in-
terests of any circuit was to restore prosperity to its
spiritual interests, and that in so doing the former
would never fail to revive. The truth of this princi-
ple he has been able to demonstrate over and over
again during his subsequent career.
With one of the means for recruiting the circuit church
funds both Mr. and Mrs. Booth had reason to be dis- ^«^««''^-
satisfied. They had looked upon bazaars as a part
and parcel of the church routine, and had hitherto
countenanced them without experiencing any con-
scientious qualms. With the general principle of
offering gifts in kind for the advancement of God's
Kingdom, and of selling what had thus been given,
they had no quarrel. It was the abuses which had
gradually crept into the system that aroused their
disapproval and brought them to the decision that
they could no longer countenance the system.
Mrs. Booth sends her mother the following descrip-
tion of what had occurred :
" I have had a very harassing week, though I have Mrs.
not been much to the Bazaar since the first day. I excision
have been too busy to go in the daytime, and too
weary of an evening. However, I have had quite
enough of it, and have made up my mind that it is the
last I will ever have anything to do with so long as I
live. William has come to the same conclusion. In
fact, he is quite disheartened and unhappy about it.
" So far as getting money is concerned it has been
326
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
A disni-
patin<t,
godless
affair.
Her
matured
opinion
about
bazaars.
very successful, having realized ;^2 32, but it has been
a dissipating, godless affair, and has exerted a very
evil influence on our people. There has been a deal
of lotterying, which is little better than gambling,
and the foolery and display in dress has made us sick
at heart. William says he will write a pamphlet on
the subject, but I don't know whether he will find
the time. I am sure some one ought to set forth the
secularising, worldly influence such occasions exert on
the church. It is most baneful."
Referring to this subject in later years Mrs. Booth
says:
" I said to a lady a little while ago, who was work-
ing an elaborate piece of embroidery for a bazaar,
'Why don't you give the money, and use your time
for something better?' She answered, 'This will sell
for more than it costs.' 'Then reckon what it will
sell for, and give the money; don't sit at home mak-
ing other people's finery, instead of visiting the sick
and seeking to save the lost!' It makes me burn with
shame to think how money is raised for so-called re-
ligious purposes by semi-worldly concerts, entertain-
ments, penny readings, and bazaars at which there
is frequently positive gambling to raise money for
Jesus Christ, whom they say they love more than
fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, houses or lands,
or anything else on earth!"
CHAPTER XXXII.
GATESHEAD. 1858-1859.
It was during the autumn of 1858 that an accident a narrotir
occurred which, but for the Divine interposition, ^^^^p^-
might have brought Mrs. Booth's career to an un-
timely conclusion. She thus describes the incident
in a letter to her parents:
" Sunday evening.
" I have not been out today, in consequence of feel-
ing- stiff and poorly from the effects of an accident which
befell me on Friday. And when I have described it I
am sure you will join me in praising God that I am no
worse. William has wanted me and the children to go to
Sheriff Hill ever since the special services there commenced,
but we put it off to the last. On Friday, however, we all went
to the concluding services. Mr. Scott brought a very nice con-
veyance and his own pony to fetch us. We went in safety and
comfort, enjoyed the meeting, and were coming home at
about half-past six.
" Through a little oversight, however, it was found we could a danger-
not have the same conveyance for return, but only a gig be- ous fall.
longing to one of our friends. So, fortunately, I sent the
nurse home on foot with the baby, a young woman accom-
panying her. William delayed going into the meeting to
pack us off all right. Young Scott was driving, Willie sat in
the middle, and I with Ballington on my knee, all mufiHed and
cloaked, next to him. The moment we were all in I felt we
were too light on the horse's back, but did not say anything
for fear of being thought ridiculous. We had not gone many
yards, however, before I was sure we were not safe, and I said
to Mr. Scott, 'Oh, dear! I feel as though we were slipping
327
328
MRS. BOOTH.
1858,
Age 29.
A marvel-
lous es-
cax>e.
Nobod]/
hurt.
The horse
was not
to blame.
" Jig boke!
Make
Pilloo
fall ! "
backwards!' I had hardly got the words out of my mouth
when the pon5^ frightened by the rising of the shafts, set
off, and we were all thrown out behind.
" I fell flat on the back of my head with Ballington on the
top of me. I don't know how Willi'? fell, but, wonderful to
say, they were neither of them hurt. William and all Mr.
Scott's family still stood watching us when it happened, and
of course flew to our assistance, screaming as they came. In-
deed all the village was up in arms. The horse went off with
the gig at full gallop, not stopping until he fell flat down,
breaking both shafts.
" William lifted me in his arms and carried me back. One
and another took the children, and we all received the great-
est care and kindness from the Scotts, who were very much
distressed. I was greatly shaken, and nearly all the sense
knocked out of me, but I trust no serious harm was done. I
feel better this evening. Is it not a mercy that I am able to
write to you ! It seems wonderful to me that I have escaped
so well, considering that I was rendered so helpless by the
child beirig on my knee. It was a terrible crash, such as I
would not like again, but, bless the Lord, we are all alive and
the children are not a bit the worse. No one can account for
the accident, but I think the harnessing was wrong. I am
sure the horse was not to blame. It is a sweet creature and
never did such a thing before, but the rising of the shafts
frightened it. Another mercy connected with it is that we
had just got over some very large and sharp stones, recently
laid down, on to an even road. If it had happened on the
stones I believe my head would have been laid open.
" They borrowed a phaeton to bring us home — not a very
comfortable ride, I can assure you, after such a fright. How-
ever, we arrived safely, and I am not likely to forget our visit
to Sheriff Hill ! Willie says, 'Jig boke ! Make Pilloo (Willie)
fall! And mama fall! Poor mama! Got pain!' You would
have been pleased to see what concern the little creature
manifested about me when 1 lay on the sofa at Mr. Scotts.
He seemed to forget everybody but me. It has freshly en-
deared him to me. How strange that after all our journey-
ings up and down without a single accident, we .should
happen to have this one in going but two miles from home !
I trust I am becomingly thankful for such a favourable issue.''
GATESHEAD. 329
Mrs. Booth was careful to avoid manifesting any 1858,
sort of favouritism in the treatment of her children. ^^ ^^'
A year previous to this, soon after Ballington's jvo
birth, Mr. Booth writes as follows: ^''""ism'^'
" Kate says we must have no distinctions, such as forty yo coat
kisses for Willie and only twenty for Babs. No coat of many cf many
colours. You must love both alike. Is this possible? lam ^^ °^^^'
afraid not, especially when we remember how grandmama
toiled and sacrificed over our first-born!"
The following letter from Mrs. Booth to her mother
shows how consistently she adhered to her principles
in regard to her children's dress, and this from their
very infancy:
" I was very sorry to hear you were so poorly. Do not sit putin
so close at work." (Mrs. Mumford was especially skilful with dress.
her needle. Some graceful specimens of her handiwork have
been preserved with care and are now worn by her infant
greatrgrandchildren. ) " I am certain you are injuring your-
self by it, and it is such folly when I do not desire it, and
when the things that cost you the most labour lie in the
drawers, and are seldom worn, simply because they are /oo
handsome. What will you say when I tell you that the beau-
tiful frock you brought Willie has never been on him yet, and
I am now altering it a little, to make it less showy, so that he
may wear it at the tea-meeting on Easter Monday.?
" You see, my dear mother, William speaks so plainly on j^^^^ ■
the subject of dress, that it would be the most glaring incon- tency.
sistency if I were to deck out my children as the worldlings
do. And, besides, I find it would be dangerous for their own
sakes. The seed of vanity is too deeply sown in the young
heart for me to dare to cultivate it. I confess it requires
some self-denial to abstain from making them as beautiful
as they might be made to look. But oh ! if God should take
them from me I should never regret it, and if He spares them
I trust that He will grant them the more of that inward
adorning which is in His sight of great price.
" Don't think I undervalue your kindness. I am most grate- Value the
ful for all you have done for them. Only I want you to mod- ''''"^"^««-
330
MRS. BOOTH.
1859,
Age 30.
Sowing
the seeds
of vanity.
Mrs.
Booth on
dress.
The lace
tippet.
Renounc-
ing the
world.
ify it. There is, you know, a great difference between a plain
coat, without a bit of work at all upon it, and one which
would set everybody admiring and saying, 'I should think it
would be five shillings a yard!' I am sure you will not mis-
understand either what I say or the motive which prompts
me to say it."
Who can tell how many careless mothers sow in
their children's hearts the seeds of worldliness, and
reap an after harvest of the most painful kind! Ah,
what sins and sorrows, what failures and disasters,
can be traced back to the wrong teachings of a
nursery, and, on the contrary, how many a noble
character has been shaped within its precincts by the
wise hand of a watchful mother! Referring, many
years subsequently, to the question of simplicity in
dress, Mrs. Booth remarks:
" Associated with my very earliest ideas of religion was the
necessity for plainness of dress. It seemed to me clear from
the teachings of the Bible that Christ's people should be
separate from the world in everything which denoted char-
acter, and that they should not only be separate but appear so.
Otherwise what benefit would their separation confer upon
the others?
" I remember feeling condemned, when quite a child, not
more than eight years old, at having to wear a lace tippet
such as was fashionable in those days. P'rom a worldly point
of view it would have been considered, no doubt, very neat and
consistent. But on several occasions I had good crying fits
over it. Not only did I instinctively feel it to be immodest,
because people could see through it, but I thought it was not
such as a Christian child should wear.
" As I advanced in religious experience I became more and
more convinced that my appearance ought to be such as to
show to everybody with whom I came in contact that I had
renounced the pomps and vanities of the world, and that I be-
longed to Christ. Had the church to which I belonged worn a
uniform I should joyfully have adopted it. I always felt that
it was mean to be ashamed of Christ in the street or among
GA TESHEAD.
331
His enemies. And it was only in conformity to the opinions
of those whom I regarded as my superiors in wisdom and grace
that I conformed to the world as much as I did in the matter
of dress.
" People have asked me, sometimes, whether we cannot be
separate from the world in our hearts without being different
in our dress. My reply has been, 'What is the use to the
world of a testimony for Christ up in your bedroom? The
very essence of witnessing for God before the world is that we
should not be like it. ' The people quite recognise this,
whether Christians do or not. Hence their contempt for those
who talk to them about religion while dressed as fashionably
as themselves. They may listen out of politeness, but they
will say in their hearts, and often, when our backs are turned,
with their lips, 'Physician, heal thyself! ' Why does she come
and talk to me about giving up the world when she has not
done so herself, at any rate as far as dress is concerned.'' ' "
The following is another example of the nursery-
lessons impressed upon her children's minds:
" Willie is a generous little fellow. He has a money-box
and a few ha'pence in it. The other day we saw a poor boy
without shoes. Willie was condoling with him, so I asked
him whether he would rather buy some barley sugar with his
money or give it to the child. He said without hesitation,
' Give it to the poor boy, mamma. ' I felt very grateful for the
generous impulse manifested. Oh for wisdom to train it
aright and make it the handmaid of principle, for the gener-
osity of mere impulse is of little worth !"
It was an interesting lesson in finance for the future
administrator of a great organisation's revenue. The
money-box betokened thrift, but there was no sin on
the face of God's earth against which Mrs. Booth was
more ready to take arms than the avarice and mean-
ness which are too often instilled in the childish
heart. How many a grasping and miserly disposition
is manufactured in a nursery by means of unwise
parents who do not distinguish between thrift and
1859,
Age 30.
The heart
and dress.
A bed-
room tes-
timony.
nursery
lesson.
Her
hatred of
avarice.
332 MliS. BOOTH.
1859, avarice, and who hope to counteract evil tendencies
^^ ^°' by mere prayers and Bible lessons as an antidote ! It
was because Mrs. Booth accompanied her Scripture
stories by such practical illustrations as the above that
she was enabled to write them so indelibly upon the
hearts of her children.
wuue "You will be very much pleased with Willie," she
pleaches ^
at three, wrltes, whcn he was only three years and two months
old. " He loves to listen to stories about Joseph,
Moses, Daniel, and the Saviour. Indeed, he can
'p'each,' as he calls it, very nicely. You would like
to hear him repeat, as he throws his arms out and
speaks through his eyes:
'"All ye that pass by,
To Jesus draw nigh,
To you is it nothing that Jesus should die ? '
A happy He is a very good boy in chapel and likes to go !
They are all fine, healthy, lovable children, and as
sharp as needles, and amidst all the toil and anxiety
they occasion I am cheered and sustained by the sym-
pathy and love of their father. William never was
kinder or more loving and attentive than now. He
often tells me I grow more beautiful in his sight and
more precious to his heart day by day. I know it
will gratify you to hear that your Kate is so highly
prized by the man of her choice, and this is the only
reason I write you thus. We have now been married
four and a half years, and I believe we love each
other better than on our wedding day. ' Praise the
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!' "
A unan- But deeply as Mrs. Booth was attached to her
imous in-
vitation, family, and ably as she fulfilled the duties of a
mother, many circumstances combined about this
period to direct her energies into a more public
GATESHEAD. m
Sphere. Mr. Booth had long been convinced that she 1859,
was peculiarly fitted to address large audiences. &® 3o.
Others shared the opinion. "I received a unanimous
invitation," writes Mrs. Booth, in September, 1859,
"from our Leaders' meeting the other night to give
an address at the special prayer-meetings this week.
Of course I declined. I don't knov/ what they can be
thinking of!"
But, although for some time longer Mrs. Booth still Another
found it impossible to overcome her timidity in this ojKms.
direction, another path of usefulness opened out be-
fore her in an unexpected manner, which was, perhaps,
the best possible preparation for the public ministry
that was soon to take its place. We cannot do better
than describe it in her own words :
"One Sabbath I was passing down a narrow. Her own
thickly populated street on my way to chapel, antici- ^^''uolu'
pating an evening's enjoyment for myself, and hop-
ing to see some anxious ones brought into the King-
dom, when I chanced to look up at the thick rows of
small windows above me where numbers of women
were sitting, peering through at the passers by or
listlessly gossiping with each other.
"It was suggested to my mind,. with gfreat power, compel
00 y 0 jr them to
'Would you not be doing God more service, and act- <^'omein.
ing more like your Redeemer, by turning into some
of these houses, speaking to these careless sinners,
and inviting them to the service, than by going to
enjoy it yourself?' I was startled; it was a new
thought; and while I was reasoning about it the
same inaudible interrogator demanded, 'What effort
do Christians put forth answerable to the command,
Compel them to come in, that my house may be
filled?'
"This was accompanied with a light and unction
334 MJ^S. BOOTH.
1859, which I knew to be Divine. • I felt greatly agitated.
^^ ^°* I felt verily guilty. I knew that I had never thus
She obeys laboured to bring lost sinners to Christ, and, trembling
the call, ^^j^]-^ ^ sense of my utter weakness, I stood still for a
moment, looked up to heaven, and said, 'Lord, if
Thou wilt help me, I will try;' and, without stopping
longer to confer with flesh and blood, turned back
and commenced my work.
The first "I spoke first to a group of women sitting on a
effort .
doorstep ; and oh ! what that effort cost me words
cannot describe ; but the Spirit helped my infirmities
and secured for me a patient and respectful hearing,
with a promise from some of them to attend the house
of God. This much encouraged me; I began to taste
the joy which lies hidden under the cross, and to
realise, in some faint degree, that it is more blessed
to give than to receive. With this timely, loving
The next cordial from my Master I went on to the next group,
g)oitp. ^^-^Q were standing at the entrance of a low, dirty
court. Here, again, I was received kindly, and prom-
ises were given. No rude repulse, no bitter ridicule
were allowed, to shake my new-found confidence or
chill my feeble zeal. I began to realise that my Mas-
ter's feet were behind me ; nay, before me — smooth-
ing my path and preparing my way.
Contin- " This blcsscd assurance so increased my courage
cess. and enkindled my hope that I ventured to knock at
the door of the next house, and, when it was opened,
to go in and speak to the inmates of Jesus, death,
judgment, and eternity. The man, who appeared to
be one of the better class of mechanics, seemed to be
much interested and affected by my words, and prom-
ised with his wife to attend the revival services
which were being held at the chapel.
" With a heart full of gratitude and eyes full of tears
GATESHEAD. 335
I was thinking- where I should go next, when I ob- 1859,
-, . , . . . T ^ Age 30.
served a woman standing on an adjoining doorstep
with a jug in her hand. My divine Teacher said, a dmnk-
' Speak to that woman. ' Satan suggested, ' Perhaps she "wi/f,
is intoxicated;' but after a momentary struggle I in-
troduced myself to her by saying, 'Are the people out
who live on this floor?' observing that the lower part of
the house was closed. 'Yes,' she said, 'they are gone
to chapel;' and I thought I perceived a weary sadness
in her voice and manner. I said, 'Oh, I am so glad
to hear that ; how is it that you are not gone to a
place of worship?' 'Me?' she said, looking down
upon her forlorn appearance; 'I can't go to chapel; I
am kept at home by a drunken husband. I have to ^^^JJ^^^^
stop with him to keep him from the public-house, and
I have just been fetching him some drink.' I ex-
pressed my sorrow for her, and asked if I might come
in and see her husband. ' No, ' she said, ' he is drunk ;
you could do nothing with him now.' I replied, 'I do
not mind his being drunk, if you will let me come in ;
I am not afraid; he will not hurt me.' 'Well,' said
the woman, 'you can come if you like; but he will
only abuse you.' I said, 'Never mind that,' and fol-
lowed her up the stairs.
" I felt strong now in the Lord, and in the power strong in
of His might, and as safe as a babe in the arms of its
mother. I realised that I was in the path of obedi-
ence, and I feared no evil. Oh how much the Lord's
people lose through disobedience to the leadings of
the Holy Spirit ! If they would only hrp His %vords
He would dwell with them, and then they need fear
neither men nor devils.
" The woman led me to a small room on the first Dealing
floor, where I found a fine, intelligent man, about drunk-
forty, sitting almost double in a chair, with a jug by
336 MRS. BOOTH.
1859, his side out of which he had been drinking that
^^ ^°' which had reduced him beneath the level of the beasts
that perish. I leaned on my heavenly Guide for
strength and wisdom, love and power, and He gave me
all I needed. He silenced the demon, strong drink,
and quickened the man's perceptions to receive my
He listens, words. As I began to talk to him, with my heart full
of sympathy, he gradually raised himself in his chair
and listened with a surprised and half-vacant stare.
I spoke to him of his present deplorable condition, of
the folly and wickedness of his course, of the inter-
ests of his wife and children, until he was thoroughly
aroused from the stupor in which I found him.
A ivretch- " During this conversation his wife wept bitterly,
and by fragments told me a little of their previous
histor3\ I found that she had once known the Lord
but had allowed herself to be dragged down by trouble,
had cast away her confidence, and fallen into sin.
She told me that her husband had a brother in the
Wesleyan .ministry who had done all that a brother
could to save him; that they had buried a daughter
two years before, who died triumphantly in the Lord,
and besought her father with her dying breath to
leave off drinking and prepare to meet her in hea-
ven; that she had a son, then about eighteen, who,
she feared, was going into a consumption ; that her
A clever liusband was a clever workman, and could earn three
or four pounds per week as a journeyman, but he
drank it nearly all, so that they were compelled to
live in two rooms and often went without necessary
food. I read to him the parable of the Prodigal Son,
while the tears ran down his face like rain. I then
prayed with him as the Spirit gave me utterance, and
left, promising to call the next day with a temper-
ance-pledge book, which he agreed to sign.
GA TESHEAD.
337
" I now felt that my work was done. Exhausted
in body, but happy in soul, I wended my way to the
sanctuary, just in time for the conclusion of the ser-
vice, and to lend a helping hand in the prayer-meeting.
"On the following day I visited this man again.
He signed the pledge, and listened attentively to all
I said. Full of hope I left him, to find others simi-
larly lost and fallen. From that time I commenced
a systematic course of house-to-house visitation, de-
voting two evenings per week to the work. The
Lord so blessed my efforts that in a few weeks I suc-
ceeded in getting ten drunkards to abandon their
soul-destroying habits, and to meet me once a week
for reading the Scriptures and for prayer."
In a letter written to her parents Mrs. Booth de-
scribes this work as follows :
" I have commenced my operations amongst the
drunkards. I wish I could give you particulars, but I
cannot spare time, so it must sufhce to say that I have
been quite as successful as I expected, and have met
with nothing but the greatest civility. I have visited
two evenings this week, and have attended two cottage
prayer-meetings at which I have had four penitents.
The rooms were very full and hot, and of course I
felt rather knocked up the next day. But by lying
down in the afternoons I don't think I am any the
worse."
In describing these visiting experiences afterwards
Mrs. Booth says:
"I was obliged to go in the evenings, because it
was the only part of the day when I could get away.
And even had it been otherwise I should not have
found the men at home any other time. I used to ask
one drunkard's wife where another lived. They al-
ways knew. After getting hold of eight or ten in
1859,
Age 30.
Happy in
soul.
Siqyiing
'the
pledge.
Rescuing
the
drunk-
ards.
How to
do it.
338
MRS. BOOTH.
1 859,
Age 30.
.4. pitiable
case,
"Lard
isted o'
bootter."
Washing
the twins
in a pie-
dish.
Trying
work.
this way, and persuading them to sign the pledge, I
used to arrange a cottage meeting for them and then
try to get them saved. They used to let me talk to
them in hovels where there was not a stick of furni-
ture, and nothing to sit down upon.
" I remember in one case finding a poor woman
lying on a heap of rags. She had just given birth to
twins, and there was nobody of any sort to wait upon
her. I can never forget the desolation of that room.
By her side was a crust of bread, and a small lump of
lard. 'I fancied a bit o' bootter (butter),' the woman
remarked apologetically, noticing my eye fall upon the
scanty meal, 'and my mon, he'd do owt for me he
could, bless 'm — he couldna git me iny bootter, so he
fitcht me this bit o' lard. Have yo?i iver tried lard
isted o' bootter? It's rare good ! ' said the poor crea-
ture, making me wish I had taken lard for 'bootter'
all my life, that I might have been the better able to
minister to her needs. However, I was soon busy
trying to make her a little more comfortable. The
babies I washed in a broken pie-dish, the nearest ap-
proach to a tub that I could find. And the gratitude
of those large eyes, that gazed upon me from that
wan and shrunken face, can never fade from my
memory.
"In the long run, however, the work told on my
health a good deal. The rooms were often hot and
close, and in going from them into the night air I
caught colds which finally resulted in a severe illness.
But my whole soul was in it, and I became deeply at-
tached to the drunkards whom I had been the means
of rescuing. It has been a great joy and satisfaction
to me since that the Salvation Army has so largely
directed its efforts, and with such remarkable success,
to their reclamation."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET. 1859.
The Conference of 1859 was held in Manchester, nie sec-
and Mr. Booth, being now a superintendent minister, Tn Gates-
was entitled to attend. At the quarterly meeting of '
the Circuit officials held previously to the Conference
he had been unanimously prayed to prolong his stay"
at Gateshead for another year. For this he was very
unwilling. His heart was still set upon the evange-
listic work. Writing to her mother Mrs. Booth says:
" I have fully and formally consented to let William go Longing
forth as an evangelist on condition tha the concentrates his f*^^' reviv-
efforts on one district at a time, making his home in some
central town and working the surrounding circuits, so that I
shall see him at least once a week. He now thinks of writing
to the Annual Committee, making certain proposals to them,
and asking their advice as to how to proceed at the next Con-
ference. If they decline to employ him as before in the capac-
ity of an evangelist, he will ask to be allowed to retain his
standing amongst them and to be left at liberty to accept
invitations wherever they may offer, raising his salary as he
can."
The Gateshead officials were, however, importunate. The inl-
and would not take a "no," They urged upon him ^^officiais^
the advantages of remaining for another year, with a
view to solidifying the results of his previous labours,
thus establishing the young converts in the faith,
permanently I'^'ting the condition of the Circuit, and
effectually clo; ig the mouths of those whose principal
339
340
MRS. BOOTH.
1 859,
Age 30.
Attending
his first
Confer-
ence.
The de-
bate on
foreign
missions.
The tem-
perance
question.
A good
7'esolu-
tion.
objection to revival work had been that the results
were evanescent.
It was with feelings of considerable curiosity and
interest that Mr. Booth attended the ensuing Confer-
ence. It proved, however, to be a melancholy disap-
pointment, and he was glad to reach home again. To
one of his practical nature the debates and resolutions^
appeared desultory and unsatisfactory.
"The Conference drags its weary length along," he writes
from Manchester. " Not much that is interesting and not
much that is disagreeable. We are at present engaged on
missionary business. Messrs. Gilton, Wright and McCurdy
have spoken in favour of a foreign mission — Mr. Whittaker
against it. I shall not trouble myself on the controversy. The
feeling runs high.
"Later — Foreign mission just carried all but unanimously."
The monotony of the debates was, however, partially
enlivened by the occurrence of an incident in which
Mr. Booth took a more active part.
"I had been selected by the Conference," he writes, "to
form one of a Committee to receive a deputation from the
United Kingdom Alliance, whose object is to secure by legis-
lation the opportunity for the people to decide whether or no
they will have a public-house in their vicinity. The deputa-
tion was met by us and the matter discussed and reported on
to the Conference. Desiring to give a practical turn to what
is ordinarily but a useless discussion, resulting in nothing be-
yond the utterance of a few rapid eulogiums, I proposed that
we should give expression to our abhorrence of the liquor
traffic by passing a resolution that henceforth no one who
was actively engaged in it should be accepted as a member of
our Church. This appeared to me, and to several others who
had strong temperance affinities, a very simple and harmless
step in the direction of purging the Connexion from its .com-
plicity in what it acknowledged to be a crying evil. I did not
ask that all members should be teetotalers, nor even that the
publicans who were already members of the Society, some
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET.
341
of them holding- offices of considerable influence, should be
expelled, but simply that our doors should in future be closed
against those who were engaged in carrying on the traffic.
" The proposition met, however, with the most vigorous op-
position. One minister, to show how undeserving ^were the
publicans of receiving such an affront, mentioned the case of
a lady who kept an infamous dram-drinking establishment.
Yet so careful was she lest her children should be contam-
inated by its evil influences that, when her daughters came
home for the vacation from their boarding school, she took
them lodgings at another house ! To this I gave the natural
reply that the lady in question only aggravated her offence by
inflicting on others the evils which she was unwilling her own
family should encounter.
" This observation was strongly resented, and in the little
hubbub that ensued my motion was defeated by an over-
whelming majority. I believe this was the only resolution
that I ever sought to impose upon the Conference."
1859,
Ago 30.
A sharp
debate.
The mo-
tion de-
feated.
Nevertheless, it was a useful experience. As Con-
ferences go, the one that Mr. Booth attended was no
doubt a favourable specimen. But he felt like the
Duke of Wellington might have been expected to feel
supposing Waterloo had been prefaced by a parlia-
ment of officers elected by the soldiery and held upon
the battle-field ! Its argumentations and legislations
would have been adm.irably suited for the peaceful
courts of Westminster and the placid waters of the
Thames, but to carry about a huge debating machine
in face of an active and enterprising enemy would
have been altogether out of place and could only have
ensured defeat. The duty of the House of Commons
had been to decide in favour of peace or war. They
had done it.
And now it was for debate to give place to a totally
different regime, in which liberty should be sacrificed
for unity that unity might in the end secure the
greater liberty. The universal danger was to be the
Debating
on the
battle-
field.
The nde
of war.
342 MRS. BOOTH.
1859, universal bond. The mediocrities might mismanage
^^ ^°' peace, but superiority was to take the lead in war.
Authority was to be released from its constitutional
iron cage in order to secure victory at all costs. Dis-
obedience was to be branded as mutiny and its faint-
est whispers drowned in blood. The wig and gown
were to be replaced by helmet and knapsack, and the
well-ordered precincts of the Law Courts by the
rough and ready drumhead. The barracks were to
be exchanged for the tent, the parade-ground for the
battle-field, the blank cartridge for the deadly cannon-
ball, the constable's baton for the soldier's bayonet.
At such a moment, when a nation's destiny was
trembling in the scales, to debate would be to delay, to
delay would be to perish.
Was it Mr. Booth left the Conference with a dim feeling of
whiief dissatisfaction, and a wonderment as to whether the
results accomplished had been worth the expenditure
of time and strength. True, mighty interests had
been discussed. But the practical outcome had been
little more than the dispatch of a solitary missionary
to the foreign field, while against the advancing forces
of drink no greater obstacle had been opposed than an
empty fusilade of formal compliments.
A year of But this only added to the satisfaction with which
he turned once more to the activities of the battle-field.
The Gateshead prospects were indeed encouraging.
During the past year the membership of Bethesda
Chapel had increased from thirty-nine to three hun-
dred, while the Sunday congregations filled the place.
Revivals were also spreading in several of the outlying
districts, such as Sheriff Hill, Felling Shore, and
Mount Pleasant.
A turn- g^t the coming year was to prove an historical turn-
ing-point concerning the importance of which Mr.
progress.
ing-point.
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET 343
and Mrs. Booth had themselves no conception. It was
a singular Providence which at length impelled Mrs.
Booth to emerge from the comparative obscurity of
home-life and to embrace the arduous responsibilities
of her public career. What the persuasions of her
husband and friends had failed to induce her to un-
dertake the taunts and denunciations of opposition
were to be largely instrumental in forcing upon her.
It was in December, 1859, that Mrs. Booth's atten-
tion was drawn to a pamphlet written by a neighbour-
ing minister, the Rev. Arthur Augustus Rees, in
which the right of woman to preach was violently at-
tacked on Scriptural grounds. The occasion for this
onslaught was the visit of the American evangelists.
Dr. and Mrs. Palmer, who were holding services at
the time in Newcastle. The Doctor himself was
an earnest, good-natured, easy-going personage. But
the principal figure in the meetings was his wife.
Mrs. Palmer was a remarkable woman, intellectual,
original, and devoted. As a speaker her chief attrac-
tion lay in her simplicity, and in the striking illustra-
tions with which her addresses were interspersed.
Aiming directly at the hearts of her hearers, and rely-
ing evidently upon the co-operation of the Holy
Spirit, she became a rallying-point for all that was
best and most earnest in the churches. Mrs. Booth
had been unable to attend the meetings, but reports
of them had from time to time reached her, and the
fact that a woman was the prominent agent in this
movement had deeply interested her. Hence she had
no sooner heard of the pamphlet published by Mr.
Rees than her soul was stirred to its deepest centre.
The replies which were issued by Mrs. Palmer's
friends and supporters "do not," writes Mrs. Booth
to her mother "deal with the question at all to my
1 859,
Age 30.
Dr. Rees
attacks
woman'' s
right to
preach.
Mrs.
Phoebe
Palmer.
Uncalled-
for ad-
missions
344 MRS. BOOTH.
1859, satisfaction. They make so many uncalled-for admis-
Age 30. ^^^^^^ ^^^^ J would almost as soon answer her defenders
as her opponent. I send you by this post Mr. Rees*
notable production. It was delivered in the form of
an address to his congregation and repeated a second
time by request to a crowded chapel, and then pub-
lished ! Would you believe that a congregation half
composed of ladies could sit and hear such self-de-
preciatory rubbish? They really don't deserve to be
taken up cudgels for!
Contem- " Mr. Rccs was once a Church clergyman, and is now
plates lee- , ^ . . . , j_- r^
turing. an Independent mmister with a congregation ot up-
wards of a thousand people. I hear he talks of pub-
lishing another pamphlet. I hope he will wait a bit
till I am stronger! And if he does bring out any
more in the same style, I rather think of going to
Sunderland and delivering an address in answer to
him. William says I should get a crowded house. I
really think I shall try, if he does not let us ladies
alone! I am sure I could do it. That subject would
warm me up anywhere and before anybody. William
The Gen- is always pestering me to begin giving lectures, and
tersher. Certainly this would be a good subject to start with.
I am determined that he shall not go unanswered."
In referring aefain to Mr. Rees' pamphlet Mrs. Booth
''Female t> & jr r
min- subsequently writes to her mother :
" I am, after all, publishing a pamphlet in reply. It
has been a great undertaking for me, and is much
longer than I at first intended, being thirty-two pages.
When William came home and heard what I had
written he was very pleased with it, and urged me to
proceed, and not tie myself for space but deal
thoroughly with the subject, making a tract on female
ministry which would survive this controversy. It
is now pretty well known that a lady has tackled him,
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET. 345
and there is consequently the more speculation and 1859,
curiosity abroad. I hope I have done it well. You ^^ ^°"
must send me your honest and unbiassed criticism, as
I may have to enter the field again, if spared.
"There is one thing which is due to myself, I Oriyinui.
think, to tell you that, whatever may be its merit, it
is my own, and far more original, I believe, than most
things that are published, for I could get no help from
any quarter. William has done nothing beyond copy- hoiv it
ing for me, and transposing two or three sentences, tvrmen.
I composed more than half of it while he was away,
and when he came home he began to copy what I had
written while I lay on the sofa and read it to him.
Then when he went out to his duties I resumed
writing my rough matter, so that it has all been
written by my own hand first. I have been at it
from seven in the morning till eleven at night most
of the week, so I leave you to judge how I am feel-
ing. In fact I don't believe I could have done another
stroke."
It has been the misfortune of religion that its ex- Sodetifs
ponents have so frequently endeavoured to accom- £«".
plish their ends by trampling on the laws of nature.
God made man as dependent on woman as woman is
on man. Society was founded by Him on a twin
basis, the recognition of which is necessary to its
success and happiness. Humanity, and above all re-
ligion, requires a double motive force. A church
with one wing folded cannot fly; with one foot par-
alysed cannot walk ; with one arm motionless can do
but half its work ; with its starboard oars all shipped
will move in a perpetual circle and make but poor ad- a perpet-
vance. We plead for more labourers in the world's ""''■"■''^^•
great harvest, but they must be wni ! If the Holy
Ghost sends troops of inspired women, the fields of
346 MRS. BOOTH.
i8s9, more than half Christendom are fenced with thorns
^^^ ^°' to prevent their entrance, though the crops fall rotting
on the ground and the multitudes are famishing
vv'ithin sight and reach of plenty !
Nature's Nature has made her purpose plain enough to be
purpose. g.^^gpg^ |jy ^j^g dullest comprehension. She surely
would not have wasted public capacities and gifts of
eloquence on woman had she not intended them to be
used. She is not so prodigal of her works. Had she
intended trees to move she would surely have endowed
them with some sort of means for locomotion. Had
she intended woman to be silent she would surely
have produced her dumb, or at least with but the
power to whisper. And when we speak of Nature,
what is it but a euphemism for God ? How prepos-
terous is it to suppose that He would have pursued so
obviously self-contradictory a course as to gift woman
with peculiar powers and in the same breath forbid
their use !
Man's And yet, strangely enough, this pious fraud of man
fraud, on woman's rights is defended and concealed with
mis-applied passages of Scripture. Nothing is easier
than to separate a verse or two from their original
context and flourish them in defence of any error that
ever existed. But this is the merest casuistry. The
Bible is its own interpreter. One passage cannot be
taken in a sense which contradicts the spirit of its
entire teaching, but must be reconciled with the rest.
Such contradictions are only superficial and apparent,
after all, like the waves of the sea when wind and
current happen to be opposed. They dash against
each other as if to destroy, but only to unite. The
foam and froth upon the surface quickly drift away,
leaving an abiding union.
A few quotations from Mrs. Booth's pamphlet will
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET.
347
suffice to show how erroneous has been the ordinarily 1859,
accepted view in regard to female ministry : ^^ ^°'
" Whether the Church will allow women to speak in /ler as-
semblies can only be question of time; common sense, public
opinion, and the blessed results of female agency will force
her to give us an honest and impartial rendering of the soli-
tary text on which she grounds her prohibitions. Then, when
the true light shines and God's words take the place of man's
traditions, the Doctor of Divinity who shall teach that Paul
commands woman to be silent when God's Spirit urges her to
speak will be regarded much the same as we should regard
an astronomer who should teach that the sun is the earth's
satellite.
" As to the obligation devolving on woman to labour for
her Master, I presume there will be no controversy. The
particular sphere in which each individual shall do this must
be dictated by the teachings of the Holy Spirit and the gifts
with which God has endowed her. If she have the necessary
gifts, and feels herself called by the Spirit to preach, there is
not a single word in the whole book of God to restrain her,
but many, very many, to urge and encourage her. God says
she SHALL do so, and Paul prescribed the manner in which she
shall do it, and Phoebe, Junia, Philip's four daughters, and
many other women actually did preach and speak in the prim-
itive churches. If this had not been the case, there would
have been less freedom under the new than under the old dis-
pensation ; a greater paucity of gifts and agencies under the
Spirit than under the law ; fewer labourers when more work
was to be done. Instead of the destruction of caste and division
between the priesthood and the people, and the setting up of
a spiritual kingdom in which all true believers were 'kings
and priests unto God,' the division would have been more
stringent and the disabilities of the common people greater.
Whereas, we are told again and again in effect, that in 'Christ
Jesus there is neither bond nor free, male nor female, but ye
are all one in Christ Jesus. '
" We commend a few passages bearing on the ministrations
of woman to the careful consideration of our readers.
"Jesus said to the two Mary's, 'All hail!' And they came
and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. 'Then said
The pam-
phlet.
The obli-
gation to
work.
The New
Testa-
ment
more lib-
erty than
the old.
Some ex-
amples.
348
MRS. BOOTH.
1859,
Age 30.
Tlie first
preavh-
ers.
Where
were the
7nenf
Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go, tell my brethren that they
go before me into Galilee.' (Matt, xxviii. 9, 10.) There are
two or three points in this beautiful narrative to which we
wish to call the attentions of our readers.
■' First, it was the first announcement of the glorious news
to a lost world and a company of forsaking disciples. Second,
it was as public as the nature of the case demanded; and in-
tended ultimately to be published to the ends of the earth.
Third, Mary was expressly commissioned to reveal the fact to
the apostles ; and thus she literally became their teacher on
that memorable occasion. O glorious privilege, to be allowed
to herald the glad tidings of a Saviour risen ! How could it be
that our Lord chose a woman to this honour? Well, one rea-
son might be that the male disciples were all missing at the
time. They all forsook Him and fled. But woman was there,
as she had ever been, ready to minister to her risen, as to her
dying, Lord.
" ' Not she with traitorous lips her Saviour stung,
Not she denied Him with unholy tongue ;
She, whilst apostles shrunk, could danger brave;
Last at the cross, and earliest at the grave. '
Pentecost. " Acts i. 14, and ii. 1-4. We are in the first of these pas-
sages expressly told that the women were assembled with the
disciples on the day of Pentecost ; and in the second, that the
cloven tongues sat tipon them cac/i, and the Holy Ghost filled
them a//, and they spake as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It is nothing to the point to argue that the gift of tongues was
a miraculous gift, seeing that the Spirit was the primary
bestowment. The tongues were only emblematical of the
office which the Spirit was henceforth to sustain to His peo-
ple. The Spirit was given alike to the female as to the male
disciple, and this is cited by Peter (16-18) as the peculiar
speciality of the later dispensation. What a remarkable de-
vice of the devil that he has so long succeeded in hiding this
characteristic of the latter-day glory ! I/e knows, whether the
Church does or not, how eminently detrimental to the inter-
ests of his kingdom have been the religious labours of
woman ; and while her Seed has mortally bruised his head, he
ceases not to bruise her heel; but the time of her deliverance
draweth nigh."
MRS. BOOTH'S FIRST PAMPHLET . 349
It was well that Mr. and Mrs. Booth were of one 1859,
accord on this subject, making it a cardinal point of ^^ ^°*
their doctrine to assure to woman the highest position Woman's
of usefulness that she was capable of occupying. ^^^'*'*^*°*^-
They did not anticipate that she would never make
mistakes. Had man made none? They did not wait Not in-
for every one to be a Mrs. Booth. Was every man a
William Booth? They realised that some would fail,
and even sin. Was man alone immaculate? But
they refused to accept a one-sided and maimed human-
ity, or to acknowledge that such a ministry could be
divinely ordained.
Years have passed since the issue of this modest ''Neither
-, r !• ) • 1 • • 1 male nor
protest m defence of woman s right to minister at the female.''
altar. Precept has been carried into practice, and
the world has passed its sentence of approval upon a
living mighty organisation in which there is " neither
male nor female, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free,
but Christ is all and in all."
The
struggle
for truth.
Disturb-
ing the
present.
Purifies
the at-
mosphere.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
GATESHEAD, i860.
Conflict is a necessary medium for producing con-
viction and arriving at the truth. There has never
yet been a cause, however excellent, which has suc-
ceeded in converting men to its way of thinking with-
out a struggle. When error and sin, those enemies
of humanity, cease to exist, conflict can afford to
ground her arms and disband her forces. To do so
sooner would be the height of treachery.
It has been truly remarked that we cannot improve
the future without disturbing the present. Estab-
lished wrongs can only be put right by upheavals of
the public mind corresponding in some degree with
the magnitude of the evil to be combated. The gales
that blow away the leaves and purify the air are
God's disinfectants. The temporary inconvenience
and local damage they inflict are more than compen-
sated by the universal good. Who can calculate how
many epidemics they prevent? The air that is least
stagnant is most healthy. The unwholesome quiet
of the " Black Hole" is the prelude of suffocation.
Better perish in a tornado than stifle in a dungeon.
Death, if postponed for a while, is equally sure and
still more agonising-.
Conflict, it may be said, is the purifier of the moral
atmosphere. If at times it destroys what it might
well have let alone, the preponderating good more
350
GATESHEAD. 351
than compensates for the occasional loss. This is i86o,
fully recognised in the social and political world. A ^^ ^^'
perpetual battle rages between society's rights and
wrongs, or more often still between conflicting rights ; The war
between lesser rights which have usurped an undue ''^^
prominence, and the greater ones which have been
thrust momentarily into the background. The edi-
torial commanders-in-chief range their papery legions
upon either side. Oceans of ink and tons of paper
are expended on each rival cause. And, if no better
reason for conflict remain, hairs must be split that
blood may flow.
What is inevitable in the social world is equally in- Acquiesc-
evitable m the religious sphere. There are those evil.
who recognise the necessity for conflict in the former
who are opposed to it in the latter. They would
rather acquiesce in evil than disturb it. They cry
"Peace, peace!" when there is no peace, and they
have no patience with those who break in upon the
general quietude.
Thus, when Mrs. Booth had launched her pamphlet
on female ministry, she found herself committed to a potion of
life-long warfare, in which she would be required to ^°"^""'-
champion till death the cause which she had at heart.
The emancipation of woman from the thraldom of
custom was a noble task. Providence had committed
to her hand the playing of the most prominent part.
But she soon found that it would be necessary to fight
her way through long lines of opposing forces before
she could realise the accomplishment of her hopes.
"The right Divine" of men "to govern wrong," or Divine
rather to usurp all the governing and talking to them- theory.
selves, had become too deeply rooted an idea in the
churches to be easily overthrown. A queen might
sit upon the throne, but for a woman to ascend the
352
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
Crossing
swords
with Dr.
Stacey.
Courts
criticism.
An im-
partial
investiga-
tion.
pulpit, or occupy the ministerial chair, was, in the
eyes of many, a heresy too rank for toleration.
An interesting correspondence ensued between
Mrs. Booth and the Rev. J, Stacey, perhaps the best
cultured intellect in the New Connexion body, being
principal of their theological college, and afterwards
one of its annual presidents. He had written for a
copy of the pamphlet, and in sending it Mrs. Booth
accompanied it with the following letter :
" I NoRMANBY Terrace, Gateshead.
"Rev. and Dear Sir: —
" In a letter received yesterday my dear husband informs
me that you have expressed a wish to see my pamphlet on
'Female Teaching.' Accordingly I avail myself of the privi-
lege of sending you one. Although I think I have succeeded
in answering Mr. Rees. I am conscious that I have not done
anything like justice to this very important subject, and it is
my intention shortly to write on it again. I should esteem it
a great favour, therefore, if you would allow me to trouble you
for a critical examination of it with reference to a few con-
troverted passages.
" For my own part I desire above all things a thorough,
honest, impartial investigation of the Scriptures on the sub-
ject, and that by those properly qualified for the work. I am
deeply convinced that, when this is secured, the present pre-
vailing notions with reference to woman's position in the
church will be driven back to the abyss of darkness and error
from whence they originally issued, and that the gift of proph-
ecy to woman — one of the distinguishing characteristics of
the latter-day glory — will be rescued from the oblivion to
which ignorance and prejudice have so long consigned it.
" May God haste the day, and to this end bless even the
feeble efforts of one so unworthy as
" Your's in the love and fellowship of Jesus,
"Catherine Booth."
To this letter Dr. Stacey sent the following reply:
Ay Dear Mrs. Booth: —
" I thank you cordially for the pamphlet on female teaching
The
doctor^s
reply. " My Dear Mrs. Booth :
GA TESHEAD.
353
just received. 'I will take the very first opportunity of read-
ing it.
" You will possibly suspect that my judgment lies counter to
the exercise of ministerial functions by women, though cer-
tainly not in the general sense to 'female teaching.' This
judgment is not, I think, one of prejudice, but of intelligent
deliberation.
" I shall be quite willing, however, to surrender it, if reason
demand it. I hold that error is profitable in the long run to
nobody, and therefore that the sooner we part with it the
better.
" In a controversy of this kind, two things are indispensable :
first, to clear the ground by a vigorous statement of the
subject. What is meant by female teaching? This may be
narrowed to one fixed, instituted, technical exercise, or it may
be enlarged to the comprehension of all possible forms and
modes of teaching. The second thing is to determine the
precise Scripture sense of 'prophecy.'
" Other things are in their degree needful, such as the ex-
amination of particular passages, the relation of the sexes to
each other and to Christianity, etc.
" I may observe that Dr. Clarke's authority weighs very
little with me, as it has little weight anywhere. I admire
him very much as a man, but as a deep thinker, or as an ac-
curate and searching scholar, his reputation does not and can-
not stand high. He knew many things rather than much. I
make this remark, because I think, from a cursory glance at
your pamphlet, you quote him as a chief authority. But I
must read before I criticise.
" I can only say in conclusion that my frank opinion on any
passage of Scripture I may have studied is at any time at
your service.
" Very truly yours,
"J. Stagey."
i860,
Age 31.
Error
profitable
to none.
Does not
think
much of
Dr.
Clarke.
Mrs. Booth, without waiting for the further letter
promised by Mr. Stacey, wrote to him as follows :
Her
reply.
"Rev. and Dear Sir: —
" I am sorry to intrude myself on your notice again so soon,
but since reading your note I feel that it is imperative on me
23
354
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
The com-
mon-sense
view.
The
prompt-
ings of the
Spirit.
An im-
portant
admis-
sion.
grievous
wrong.
The seal
oj silence.
to offer a word of explanation, and to assure you that I had
not the slightest intention of alluding to yourself in the refer-
ence I made to the effects of ignorance and prejudice on the
subject in question, but simply to the vulgar notions of the
public in general. For yourself I have always entertained
the most profound respect and esteem.
" I may just observe that I did not quote Dr. Clarke so
much as a first authority, as one who gave what appears to
me a common-sense vieiv of the passages in question, and one
which does not involve the contradictions so conspicuous in
some other commentators. However, I sincerely thank you
for your criticisms, and shall be glad to receive more when
you have leisure. If I am wrong, it is my judgment, not my
heart. I am sure I only wish to know the will of God and all
within me would bow in silent and loving acquiescence.
" But oh, sir, how can it be that the promptings of the Holy
Spirit and the precepts of the Word should be in such direct
antagonism as Mr. Rees makes it appear? In asking this
question I know that I only express the heartfelt inquiry of
many of the most devoted and faithful among the female dis-
ciples of our Lord. For it is a significant fact that it is not the
formal, worldly-minded professors who experience these urg-
ings of the Spirit to open their lips for Christ, but generally
those who are most eminent for piety and unreserved conse-
cration to the service of their Saviour. Surely there must be
some mistake somewhere. I cannot but think that the error
lies in the interpretation and application of two isolated pas-
sages in Paul's writings.
" You say, my dear sir, that you do not object to fe-
male teaching in the general sense. Then you admit of a
qualification of the passage, 'I suffer not a woman to teach;'
for, taken literally, this forbids all kinds of teaching what-
ever. The question to be settled is, what kind of qualification
do the principles and general bearing of the New Testament
render necessary? To my mind, there is but one reply. Sup-
pose commentators were to deal with some partsof the Epistle
of James as they do with these two passages, what would be-
come of the glorious doctrine of justification by faith?
■' I cannot but believe that a very grievous wrong has been
inflicted on thousands of Spirit-baptised disciples of Jesus
long since gone to their reward by the seal of silence ira-
GATESHEAD.
355
i860,
Age 31.
Feeling
keenly.
posed on them by good but mistaken men, who thought
they were doing God service !
" But I believe the Lord himself is teaching the Church her
mistake on this subject, so important to her ultimate triumphs.
I believe thousands of loving, faithful hearts are pleading for
the bestowment of the promise of the Father on the hand-
maidens as well as on the servants of the Lord. And God
will in His own good time answer prayer.
" Excuse me, my dear sir. I had no intention of writing at
such length when I commenced. But my heart is full of feel-
ing on this subject — not on my own account, God knows, but
because it does appear to me to be very intimately connected
with the progress and triumph of the blessed Gospel, and
because I am anxious to interest in it one whose learning and
intelligence might be so helpful to the truth, and in whose
nobility of soul I feel I dare rely. This is my apology for
occupying so much of your valuable time.
" Yours in the fellowship of Jesus,
" Catherine Booth."
In replying to this letter, Dr. Stacey expressed
himself as still unconvinced. At the same time he
appreciated fully the ability manifested by Mrs. Booth
in dealing with the subject, concluding his letter by
saying:
" I trust I need not say how much I esteem your sympathies
and aims. To me they are very dear, and are becoming so
more and more. I admire intensely your fervour of spirit
and simplicity of love, as well as the comm.and of English
evinced in your pamphlet."
But, if there were few critics of repute who sup- j-f^^
ported Mrs. Booth's view at the time, there are many '"^\""^^y^
of them now, and the more honour is due to her who
so bravely acted the part of pioneer and proved to de-
monstration the truth for which she had contended.
Mrs. Booth's convictions were of too robust a character
to give way before the opposition that her pamphlet
aroused. In after years, when she had reached the
The doc-
tor un-
con-
vinced.
356 MRS. BOOTH.
i860, zenith of her success, there were few who did not ad^
Age 31. ^.^ -j^^^ ^^^ individtial right to preach the Gospel,
Claimed although it was still argued that others should not
*^*'for''^ follow in her steps unless they possessed similar
others, ability. The fallacy of such an idea is not difficult
to perceive. What would happen in the House of
Commons if a law were passed that no one should
speak save those who possessed the eloquence of a
Gladstone? Perhaps the prohibition might be a use-
ful one. Certainly there would be very little talking
done.
A To Mrs. Booth it would have given but little satis-
^ccess. faction to have shaken herself free from the bondage
of conventionality had she been unable to release the
rest of womankind. How wonderfully she succeeded
is now a matter of history. For what better argu-
ment could we find in favour of women's ministry
than the successes achieved by the five thousand
women officers and tens of thousands of women
speakers whom Mrs. Booth left behind at her death,
and who continue, in ever-increasing numbers and
with ever-multiplying success, to follow in her steps?
"Her brilliant life example's flame they catch,
And forward step that they her deeds may match."
CHAPTER XXXV.
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING.
i860.
It was Sunday morning, the 8th January, i860. The Mrth
Mr. Booth had been announced to take the service at dalgh?er
Bethesda Chapel. But the expectant congregation ♦"'"^"•
were disappointed when, after a whispered consulta-
tion among their leaders, one of them commenced
the meeting with an apology for their beloved pastor's
unavoidable absence. The service had not, however,
proceeded far when Mr. Booth himself appeared, and
was able not only to preach the anticipated sermon,
but to make the happy announcement that another
little woman warrior had just been added to their
ranks, one whose life, with God's blessing, should be
a practical illustration of the truths laid down in
"Female Ministry."
It was a bright omen for the future that Emma a hapj^y
Moss Booth was born within a few days of the pub-
lication of her mother's stirring pamphlet, and that
she was still an infant in her arms when the public
ministry commenced which was to open the door of
usefulness, not only to Mrs. Booth's own daughters,
but to multitudes of womankind. It was while she
was lying still weak and suffering, her babe in her
bosom, that Mrs. Booth received what was without
doubt an inward urging of the Holy Spirit to con-
secrate herself to the ministry which she had so
357
omen.
358
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
liot only
lawful
but a
duty.
Her
timidity.
A special
revela-
tion.
powerfully defended on behalf of others. She applied
her pamphlet to herself.
She had always been fully convinced that it was
lawful for woman to preach the Gospel, as much as
for man. But that it was their duty to rise up and
do it under pain of the Divine displeasure was alto-
gether another aspect of the question. Least of all
did she contemplate when writing the paper that she
would be singled out by Providence to pioneer the
way. But a sick bed allows opportunity for reflec-
tion which is often impossible in the busy routine of
every-day life. She was forced to face the natural
consequences of her own teachings, and to realise that
what was permissible became a duty where the nec-
essary qualifications were possessed.
Referring to her experience, in a public meeting
twenty years afterwards, Mrs. Booth said:
" Perhaps some of you would hardly credit that I
was one of the most timid and bashful disciples the
Lord Jesus ever saved. But for four or five months
before I commenced speaking the controversy had
been signally roused in my soul, and I passed
through some severe heart-searchings. During a sea-
son of sickness [connected with the birth of her'
daughter], it seemed one day as if the Lord revealed
it all to me by His Spirit. I had no vision, but a
revelation to my mind. He seemed to take me back
to the time when I was fifteen or sixteen, when I first
fully gave my heart to Him. He showed me that all
the bitter way this one thing had been the fly in the
pot of ointment, preventing me from realising what I
otherwise should have done. And then I remember
prostrating myself upon my face before Him, and
promising Him there in the sick room, 'Lord, if Thou
wilt return unto me as in the days of old, and revisit
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 359
me with those urginors of the Spirit which I used to i860,
have, I will obey, if I die in the attempt.' However,
the Lord did not revisit me immediately. But he
permitted me to recover, and to resume my usual
duties.
"About three months afterward I went to the ^^^f./J'^^,^
chapel of which my husband was a minister (Beth- occasion.
esda), and he had an extraordinary service there.
Even then he was always trying something new to
get at the outside people. For this Sunday he had
arranged with the leaders that the chapel should be
closed, and a great out-door service held at a place
called Windmill Hills. It so happened, however, that
the weather was too tempestuous for carrying out this
design, and hence the doors were thrown open and
the meeting was held in the chapel. In spite of the
stormy weather about a thousand persons were pres-
ent, including a number of preachers and outside
friends.
" I was, as usual, in the minister's pew with my ^ sudden
eldest boy, then four years old. I felt much depressed ^«''-
in mind, and was not expecting anything particular,
but as the testimonies proceeded I felt the Holy Spirit
come upon me. You alone who have experienced it
can tell what it means. It cannot be described. I
felt it to the extremity of my hands and feet. It
seemed as if a voice said to me, 'Now if you were to
go and testify, you know I would bless it to your own
soul, as well as to the people!' I gasped again and The con-
r i. o J. <D trovers/
said in my heart, 'Yes, Lord, I believe Thou wouldst,
but I cannot do it!' I had forgotten my vow. It did
not occur to me at all.
"A moment afterwards there flashed across my
mind the memory of the bed-room visitation when I
had promised the Lord that I would obey Him at all
36o
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
Willing
to look a
fool.
The first
address.
Hanging
on to
God.
The con-
fession.
costs. And then the voice seemed to ask me if this
was consistent with that promise. I almost jumped
up and said, 'No, Lord, it is the old thing over again.
But I cannot do it!' I felt as though I would
sooner die than speak. And then the devil said,
'Besides, you are not prepared. Yovl will look like
a fool and will have nothing to say.' He made a
mistake. He overreached himself for once. It was
this word that settled it. 'Ah!' I said, 'this is just
the point. I have never yet been willing to be a fool
for Christ. Now I will be one!'
"Without stopping another moment I rose up from
my seat and walked down the aisle. My dear hus-
band was just going to conclude. He thought some-
thing had happened to me, and so did the people.
We had been there two years, and they knew my
timid, bashful nature. He stepped down and asked
me, 'What is the matter, my dear?' I replied, 'I
want to say a word.' He was so taken by surprise
that he could only say, 'My dear wife wishes to
speak,' and sat down. For years he had been trying
to persuade me to do it. Only that very week he had
wanted me to go and address a little cottage meeting
of some twenty working people, but I had refused.
" I stood — God only knows how — and if any
mortal ever did hang on the arm of Omnipotence, I
did. I felt as if I were clinging to some human arm,
but it was a Divine one which held me up. I just
stood and told the people how it had come about. I
confessed, as I think everybody should who has been
in the wrong and has misrepresented the religion of
Jesus Christ. I said : ' I dare say many of you have
been looking upon me as a very devoted woman, and
one who has been living faithfully to God. But I
have come to realise that I have been disobeying Him,
362 MJiS. BOOTH.
i860, and thus have brought darkness and leanness into my
^^^ ^^' soul. I have promised the Lord to do so no longer,
and have come to tell you that henceforth I will be
obedient to the holy vision.'
Thepeo- "There was more weeping, they said, in the chapel
that day, than on any previous occasion. Many dated
a renewal in righteousness from that very moment,
and began a life of devotion and consecration to God.
Talking " Now I might have 'talked good' to them till now.
That honest confession did what twenty years of
preaching could not have accomplished.
What was "But oh, how little did I realise how much was
then involved ! I never imagined the life of publicity
and trial that it would lead me to, for I was never
allowed to have another quiet Sabbath when I was
well enough to stand and speak. All I did was to
take the first step. I could not see in advance. But
the Lord, as He always does when His people are
honest with Him and obedient, opened the windows
of heaven and poured out such a blessing that there
was not room to contain it."
Announc- The Rubicon once crossed, it became impossible
'^ night, for Mrs. Booth to turn back, however much she might
have desired to do so. She had scarcely resumed her
seat when, true to his nature, Mr. Booth pounced upon
her to preach at night. She could not refuse. The
Thepeo- people were delighted. They overwhelmed her with
Whfed congratulations. Her servant, who was at the meet-
ing, went home and danced round the kitchen table
with delight, calling out to the nurse, "The mistress
has spoken! The mistress has spoken!"
The re- Mrs. Booth returned home drenched in perspiration,
turn
home, with mingled feelings of satisfaction and of conster-
nation at having to speak again that night. What
could she say? It would be useless for her to repeat
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 3^3
what she had said in the morning. And yet there was i860,
no time for preparation. She cast herself upon her ^^ ^^'
knees and asked the Lord to give her a message for
the people. He did so then and there, and the night
meeting exceeded in enthusiasm and power the pre-
ceding one.
The chapel presented a never-to-be-forgotten scene ^i« '^}9ht
i^ ^ ^ meeting.
that evening. It was crowded to the doors, and the
people sat upon the very window-sills. Appropriately
enough, it happened to be the anniversary of Pentecost,
and Mrs. Booth took for her subject, "Be filled with Hej-
•' subject.
the Spirit." The audience were spell-bound as they
listened to her words. There are some in heaven
and not a few on earth to-day, who look back upon
that occasion as the turning-point in their spiritual
history.
The news spread far and wide, and invitations now She visits
•^ New-
poured in thickly from all directions in greater num- castle.
bers than could possibly be accepted. Among other
places a call was received from Newcastle, and an in-
teresting memento of Mrs. Booth's first service in that
city consists in the following resolution passed by the
leaders' meeting of the chapel in which she preached:
" That this meeting returns its cordial thanks to Mrs. Booth The reso-
for the addresses delivered in the chapel on Sunday last,
which we have no doubt will be productive of good, and
earnestly hopes that she may continue in the course thus
begun, in which we unitedly pray that the blessing of God
may attend her and crown her labours with success.
" W. H. Renwick,
" Society Steward.
" 6th June, i860."
In a letter dated 23d July, Mrs. Booth sends her she re-
parents an interesting account of her labours at this ^wVrk^^
time.
3^4
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 3X,
Taking a
meeting
for the
General.
No time
to .'itiulij.
Seeking
the
drunk-
ards.
" William has been confined to the house a fortnight with a
bad throat attack. I have consequently had extra care and
work. I have spoken four times since you left — at Sheriff
Hill, the Fell, Dunstan, and last night at Gateshead. At two
of the places I took the night anniversary services, had full
chapels and gave great satisfaction. I went to Bethesda last
night to supply for William. The chapel was crowded with
forms round the communion rail and down the aisles. I spoke
for an hour and five minutes from Luke xiii. 23-30 ('And one
asked Him, Lord, are there few that be saved?" etc.). I got on
very well and had three sweet cases, and from all accounts
the people were very much pleased. I cannot tell you how I
felt all day about it. I never was in such a state in my life.
I could neither eat nor sleep. I was pressed into it against
my will, and when I saw the congregation I felt almost like
melting away ! However, I got through, and I know I spoke
with freedom and power. The people listened like statues,
and were frequently very much moved. I dare say I have
been the subject of much talk to-day, but I hear nothing save
the most encouraging reports, and some from quarters least
expected. 'Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within
me, bless His holy Name!"
" They talk of William and myself conducting revival ser-
vices together at Bethesda during the winter. I intend to try
to get a little preparation. I also hope to arrange a lecture or
two, one for mothers.
" William is of course very pleased, and says he felt quite
comfortable at home minding the bairns, knowing who was
supplying his place! Of course, I can only talk like this to
you. If I had but time to study and write, I should not fear
now, but I must be content to do what I can, consistently with
my home duties, and leave the future to the Lord. I think,
however, very few have had so encouraging a beginning, and
I am determined to make the best of my opportunities.
" I continue my visitations among the drunkards. Our first
weekly meeting is to be on Thursday evening at eight o'clock
in a room in Lampton Terrace. I have ten pledged men to
begin with, most of whom have been much addicted to drink
for years, but who have now kept the pledge above a fort-
night."
Meanwhile the annual Conference had come and
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 365
gone. Mr. Booth had not attended it, having con- i860,
sented to stay in Gateshead another year. There ^^ ^^'
seemed, therefore, no particular object to be gained in .4 fhird
going. He could not help feeling, moreover, that he ''aatpZ^
had been unjustly treated by the non-fulfilment of the '^''"^"
repeated pledges that he should be recalled to the
evangelistic sphere. While he was willing on his own
part to continue in his present position for another
year, he could not but feel that he was wronged in
the evident indisposition of the opposing party to
carry out their promises. His absence called forth
some inquiries from Dr. Cooke, the President, but a
letter of explanation was read, and with this the Con-
ference appeared satisfied.
The heavy strain of his circuit duties had told Mr. Booth
severely for some time pavSt upon Mr. Booth, and led
in September to a complete break-down, and an en-
forced rest.
Having been strongly recommended to try the
hydropathic treatment, Mr. Booth went to Mr. Smed-
ley's establishment at Matlock, while Mrs. Booth re-
mained with the children in Gateshead. But, although
she was prepared to do what she could in looking after
the interests of the Circuit, she was surprised when a
deputation of the leading officials waited upon her,
urging that she would take her husband's town ap- j,/,,^
pointments during his absence. To this she replied a^]°eci\o
that she could on no account consent, remindinof them. ^^^'^ '''*
^^ place.
that their credit was at stake as well as her confidence.
The deputation retired considerably crestfallen at the
result, but returned soon afterwards with renewed
supplications that Mrs. Booth would at least under-
take the Sabbath-night meetings, these being the ^lf^'''\^'
most important. After considerable pressure she circuit
. for nine
consented to this arrangement, and during the next tveeks.
366 MRS. BOOTH.
i860, nine weeks conducted these and other meetings till
^^ ^^' the time of Mr. Booth's return, besides supervising the
general management of circuit affairs. The result
was most gratifying. The chapel was packed on each
occasion that she spoke. Numbers of gentlemen from
Newcastle, who had never before entered a dissenting
place of worship, attended the meetings.
The following letter to her parents gives a descrip-
tion of the position of affairs during this period :
" 24th September, i860.
" I had a very good day yesterday at Sheriff Hill. A most
J. fl€ tVOVfC • r^ 1 1 J
advances, precious time m the morning. Spoke an hour and ten min-
utes with unction and liberty. My own soul was richly
blessed and I think many others were. At night I had a good
time and splendid prayer-meeting, with several under convic-
tion, but only one decided case. I believe, however, we shall
get two very interesting young gentlemen who were present.
One of them is just about to be married to one of my spiritual
children, another fruit of my last service at Bethesda. Glory
be to God for all His goodness! But I feel as though I heard
Him saying to my soul, ' Be faithful and I will show thee
greater things than these.' 'Even so,' my heart replies,
'Behold the handmaiden of the Lord! Be it unto me accord-
ing to Thy word!' Pray for me.
" I hope if my dear father has not yet got. thoroughly into
the light, that he will do so while he is here. It may be the
Lord is bringing him for that purpose.
Plenty of ' ^ S^^ plenty of invitations now, far more than I can com-
inyita- ply with. In fact they tell me my name is being trumpeted
far and wide. Mr. Crow says that it is getting into the foreign
papers now, and that in one of them I am represented as hav-
ing my husband's clothes on ! They would require to be con-
siderably shortened before such a phenomenon could occur,
would they not? Well, notwithstanding all I have heard
about the papers, I have never had sufficient curiosity to buy
one ! Nor have I ever seen my name in print, except on the
wall bills, and then I have had some difficulty to believe that
it really meant me ! However, I suppose it did. And now I
shall never deem anything impossible any more ! "
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 367
In writing to Mr. Booth during his absence she says : i860,
Age 31.
" You will be anxious to hear how I got on last night. Well, ^ /•„/;
we had a splendid congregation. The chapel was very full, chapel.
upstairs and down, with forms round the communion rail. I
never saw it fuller on any occasion except once or twice dur-
ing the revival. It was a wonderft:! congregation, especially
considering that no bills had been printed. The Lord helped
me, and I spoke for an hour with great confidence, liberty, and -
I think some power. They listened as for eternity, and a deep
solemnity seemed to rest on every countenance. I am con-
scious that mentally and for delivery it was by far my best The best
effort. Oh how I yearned for more Divine iuflitcnce to make '^^^^ '
the most of that precious opportunity ! Great numbers stayed
to the prayer-meeting. The bottom of the chapel was nearly
full. Many are under conviction, but we had only three
cases, I think all gogd ones. I kept the prayer-meeting on
until ten. The people did not seem to want to go. The man
whom I told you about as having been brought in a month ago
under ' Be ye reconciled, ' prayed last night with power. He is
a glorious case, Mr. McAllam's best helper at Gardener Street.
" The Proctors were there, also Turnbull and Buston. Mr. a grand
Firbank, Thompson, and Crow were talking in the vestry chance.
afterward, and they said we ought to commence special ser-
vices directly, for it was evident we had a splendid hold on
the town, and that I must prepare myself to preach at night
very often. I told them it was easy talking, etc. They little
knew what it cost me, nor anybody else either, except the
Lord. You see I cannot get rid of the care and management
of things at home, and this sadly interferes with the quiet
necessary for preparation, but I must try to possess my soul
in patience, and to do all, in the kitchen as well as in the pul-
pit, to the glory of God. The Lord help me !
" I took cold coming home from the meeting last Sunday Dmcul-
night, and have had a sore throat and chest all the week. I ties.
am very sorry I engaged myself for Reckington twice next
Sunday, but they pleaded so hard I could not refuse. I can-
not undertake these night services in the countr3^ having to
come home in an open conveyance, as I will not let them go
to the expense of hiring cabs.
" I told you I had refused an application from Salem for the
368
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
A press-
ing invi-
tation.
The
people
pleased.
Taking
the reins.
The unity
of the
leaders.
No time
to grow.
Eloquence
and ad-
ministra-
tive
ability.
afternoon of the 28th. Well, on Saturday another gentleman
waited on me, and begged me to reconsider my decision. He
evidently came determined to make me yield. He was most
doggedly obtuse to all my reasons and persevering in his en-
treaties. I thought to myself, you have got your match this
time ! But after half an hour's arguing, in which he assured
me that every office-bearer had been consulted and that all
were anxious for me to come, I said there was only one way it
could be done. If Mr. Williams would take afternoon and
night, I would serve them in the morning.
" The people are saying some very extravagant things. I
hear a stray report now and then. But I think I feel as meek
as ever, and more my own helplessness and dependence on
Divine assistance. Don't forget to pray for me. I have borne
the weight of circuit matters to an extent I could not have
believed possible, and have been literally the 'Superintend-
ent.' But it has been behind the scenes, and I have not
always been well represented in my officers, and consequently
all things have not been done to my satisfaction. When you
come you will not only resume the command, but yourself
take the reins."
One of the most interesting features of the Gates-
head work was the unanimity which prevailed within
the borders of the society. " This was the more re-
markable," says one of its oldest officials, "as the cir-
cuit was well known to be a difficult one to grip, the
quarterly meetings of office-bearers having often been
of a stormy character and requiring no little tact to man-
age. But under Mr. Booth's leadership everything
went on smoothly. He never permitted symptoms
of disagreement or coldness time to grow. If he
thought anything had been said calculated to give
rise to a misunderstanding, or unnecessarily to wound
any one's feelings, he would not allow twenty-four
hours to pass without setting the matter straight by a
personal interview."
It is not always that the gift of eloquence is com-
bined with administrative ability. Indeed, men of
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 369
action are proverbially taciturn, while the capacity for i860,
saying a thing well is as frequently linked with a sin- ^^^ ^^'
gular aptitude for doing it badly. With Mr. and
Mrs. Booth there was a happy combination of both.
As leaders of their family, of their Circuit, and of the
Salvation Army, they have been a remarkable ex-
emplification of the "iron hand in a velvet glove,"
which is truly said to be the most valuable qualifica-
tion of a wise ruler.
A bad rider will spoil the best horse. At one time ^.fea<*
the rems will lie loose upon its neck, so that except spoils a
for the weight upon its back it cannot tell it has a horsi.
master. The next moment the creature will be
thrown upon its haunches by a violent jerk, with
altogether unnecessary force. At first there is no
control, and then it is all control. The horse is al-
ternately master of the rider and the rider master
of the horse, until it becomes uncertain whose turn
will be the next, and finally it is impossible to do
with whip and spur what good management would
have accomplished without the use of either. It is
thus that many a vicious brute is manufactured, and
the rider prepares the way for his own fall.
It would be interesting to know how frequently the Human
parallel has held good in the case of human govern- merits.
ments. They are a necessity, in some shape or form,
perhaps in every shape a necessary evil of our human-
ity. A riderless horse soon gets into mi.schief , or is at
best a comparatively useless and expensive luxury. A
headless community, whether it be a family, a religious
organisation, or a nation, cannot play its proper part
on the social stage. It may do no harm, but it cannot
accomplish the good which a combination of its in-
dividual powers would render possible. The divided
house must fall; if not into perdition, at least into
24
370
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
Systems
of govern-
ment.
The nde
of all is
the rule
of 7wne.
A strong
govern-
nienf.
Ability
and good-
ness.
comparative obscurity. Men are like sheep. The
vast majority are made and meant to follow. The
rare majority are fitted to lead. A happy union of
the two is what is required. The unfortunate experi-
ences of misgovernment are no argument against
government itself. Nor is it wise to substitute the
government of all for the government of some. The
rule of the best is the best rule. The government of
all is the government of none. What is needed is a
real aristocracy in place of an artificial one — a gov-
ernment of the best, the best by nature and the best
hy grace, the best in talent, but the talent must be
seasoned with virtue. Perverted talent is a public
danger. The world is cursed with the rule of clever-
ness, the rule of science, the rule of art, the rule of
wealth, the rule of birth, the rule of accident.
The Salvation Arm.y has advanced with altogether
phenomenal rapidity because there has been a strong
government — a government of the best, both in re-
gard to ability and piety — impartially administered,
and based on the confidence of its rank and file.
Ability has been duly recognised without being im-
properly deified. Knowledge has been subordinated
to holiness, and power has been sanctified by love.
From a governmental standpoint ability is almost as
necessary to goodness as goodness to ability. It is a
fatal mistake to dissolve the partnership, whether in
the social, political, or religious world. In seeking
to dispense with either one or the other, society be-
comes more or less of a mixed muddledom.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
GATESHEAD. 1 860-1861.
The illness and prolonged absence of Mr. Booth
from the Gateshead Circuit had not only the effect of
compelling Mrs. Booth to undertake responsibilities
from which she would otherwise have drawn back, but
gave rise to a correspondence which contains an un-
usually full description of the incidents occurring at
the time.
Her intense anxiety regarding the nervous prostra-
tion and complete break-down which had necessitated
Mr. Booth's departure may be gathered from the
following letter :
"September 13th, i860.
" My Precious William : — Yours is to hand, and so deeply
have its contents troubled me that I can do nothing until I
have answered it.
" I have let you proceed with the hydropathic treatment
quietly and trustingly, although I have had many fears about
its suiting you. The difficulty in breathing of which you speak
distresses and alarms me. And now that you have left Mr.
Smedley's I shall expect to have some jurisdiction over you.
And I do hope that you will prove the love for me of which
you write by at once attending to my advice. Your health is
too important a matter to be trifled with. Oh. my dearest,
what shall I do if you don't get better? I dare not think
about it. The Lord help me ! I feel as though I must come
to you. I can scarce restrain myself at all. Write by return,
and let nothing prevent you from sending me news every
day. No human means must be left untried to bring about
your restoration, and if our money fails I must try and get
371
Her
letters to
the Gen-
eral.
The Gen-
eral''s
illness.
M7'S.
Booth's
dist7-ess.
372
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
Prayer.
some more. I might arrange some lectures and charge so
much for entrance. With such an object in view I could un-
dertake the extra burden, and the people would come to hear
me, I feel sure.
" I shall bear you continually on my heart before the Lord.
Do we honour Him enough in the matter of health and sick-
ness? "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of
the church and let them pray over him, and the prayer of
faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up !' Let
us pray more about our health.
" With much anxiety and undiminished affection,
" I remain your loving wife,
" Catherine."
Better
new.s.
Domestic
troubles.
Whoop-
ing-
cough.
Subsequent letters, however, contained better news,
and Mrs. Booth had the satisfaction of hearing from
time to time that change, rest, and medical treatment
had produced, with God's blessing, a satisfactory im-
provement in her husband's health.
To add to her anxieties, however, her children sick-
ened simultaneously with whooping-cough. The fol-
lowing letter to her parents gives a glimpse behind
the scenes, showing that Mrs. Booth, though now
officiating as "a Mother in Israel," was none the less
a mother at home :
" You will be sorry to hear that all the children have got the
whooping-cough! It never occurred to me that the cough
Willie had was the commencement of it. Now, however, it
is beyond doubt, and very much it distresses me to hear
them cough one after another. Katie and Baby have it the
worst. I am giving them the appropriate homoeopathic
remedies, with their feet in hot water and mustard at night,
and water bandages on their chests. So far this treatment
answers well and they are progressing as favourably as could
be expected. Baby suffers the most, as she is cutting her
teeth. However, if they are to have it, I would rather they
all had it together, although it is no small job bandaging
them every night, I can assure you. It takes me above an
hour and a half before I have finished. Join us in praying
GA TESHEAD.
373
that God may bless the means and speedily restore them to
health.
" Accept my warmest thanks for the little frock you sent.
We like it very much. There is only one difficulty, namely,
it is too smart! I shall have to give you full and explicit di-
rections in future as to the style, trimming, etc., for we really
must set an example in this respect worthy of imitation. I
feel no temptation now to decorate myself. But I cannot say
the same about my children. And yet, oh, I see I must be
decided, and come out from among the fashion-worshipping,
worldly professors around me. Lord, help me ! Don't think
I am reflecting on you. But we must do violence to our fan-
cies for Christ's sake. Bless you! lam sure your kindness
is fully appreciated and highly prized!"
i860,
Age 31.
The frock
is too
smart.
It is not unfrequently a characteristic of the largest
minds that they possess a capacity for descending to
the veriest trifles, passing from one to the other with-
out apparent effort, and finding in each their natural
element. It is no less surprising to watch an elephant
pick up a needle with its trunk than to see it push
down a wall, or tear a sapling from its roots. It is
the combination of the two which forms the contrast.
Of itself there is nothing striking in the capacity to
deal effectively with the trivialities of life. But great-
ness is never greater than when dealing with the little-
nesses of the hour — at one moment sweeping the uni-
verse as with a telescope, at the next dissecting an
atom with its microscopic eye.
Mrs. Booth, spending an hour and a half at home
in bandaging her sick children, abroad in addressing
a crowded and spellbound audience, presents a happy
contrast, in which each portion of the double picture
lends added effect to the other. It was, perhaps, the
consciousness of a well-regulated home that imparted
confidence to the speaker, and attested her message
as nothing else could have done.
A large
mind.
Dealing
ivith
details.
A happy
contrast.
. 374 ^fJ^S. BOOTH.
i860, "I hear it has got into the Court Journal 2ind. several
^^^ ^^' other papers," she writes to her parents, "that I am
AVir.s- to take William's appointments. The paragraph is
notices, headed 'A Minister's Wife Supplying his Place.'
There was an account in the Chronicle a fortnight
ago of my first effort in Bethesda. There is also a
notice in a Sunderland paper, and to-day I am told
it is in the Morning Star. One gentleman says that
he saw an account of it in the Scotsman, in the heart
of Scotland.
Preach- "I had a splendid congregation on Sunday night
"Prodigal and took the pulpit, very much against my own de-
''"■ sire, but in compliance with the general wish. I
spoke exactly an hour from the Prodigal Son. I was
very much agitated, and did not get a moment's
liberty through the whole service. In fact, I felt very
much discouraged, but I have heard nothing but the
greatest satisfaction expressed by the people. So, if
they were satisfied with that, I need never fear again,
as I had some good stuff and was well prepared with
material, but was so flurried I could not command it.
However, there was a gracious influence and several
were weeping.
"On Monday night I spoke for half an hour with
liberty and comfort to myself, and I believe with uni-
versal satisfaction.
A com- " I am published for anniversary sermons at Felling
^ipph,, vShore morning and night. On Sunday week I am at
the Teams anniversary morning and night, and the
vSunday after they want me to take Bethesda again.
The following Sunday I am to be at Sheriff Hill and
then at Gateshead Fell. So you see I have plenty of
work cut out. I am anxious to do as much as I can
while William is away, as they esteem me a competent
supply for him, and this will prevent disappointment.
GA TESHEAD.
375
"The preparation is the greatest difficulty. I am
subject to such constant interruption and noise that I
am often almost bewildered. But the Lord has won-
derfully helped me so far, and He has been blessing
my soul very sweetly of late. I am not labouring in
vain, but I trust I have some fruit which will remain
unto eternal life."
In a later letter to Mr. Booth she says :
" I was at the Shore yesterday. Good congregation
in the morning and a precious season to myself, and
so far as I could judge to everybody else. It was by
far the best effort I have made. If I could always
realise as much liberty and Divine influence, I should
not fear to go anywhere.
" At night the chapel was well filled, with extra
forms, etc. Miss Newberry was present, and said
there was not a single defect, except a manifestation
of physical weakness which distressed her. The heat
was very oppressive, and for the first time proved a
hindrance to me. With time and pains and more of
the Spirit I believe I shall be useful yet.
"They had Mrs. Dickson from Sheriff Hill for the
afternoon. Miss Newberry heard her. She says she
is a regular Primitive female preacher ! She puts off
bonnet and shawl and goes at it like a ranter! She
says some good things, but without order or arrange-
ment, and shouts till the people jump ! She is a very
big woman, and I have no doubt a very good one too.
But I was sadly afraid, from hearing her shout and
talk while a few friends were praying after tea, that
she would quite upset me at night. However, I com-
mitted it to the Lord, and got Miss Newberry to sit
behind her, so that if she did respond too loudly, she
could give her a hint. However, she did not need it.
I spoke an hour and five minutes in the morning,
i860,
Age 31.
The.
prepara-
tion.
A
precious
season.
Useful
yet.
" Going at
it."
Quiets
down.
376
MRS. BOOTH.
i860,
Age 31.
Some.
plain
truth
ready.
A good
test.
about an hour in the evening, gave two invitations,
and prayed.
" I saw Mr. Firbank about the quarterly meeting.
It is to be held as usual, and the adjourned meeting a
fortnight after, at which you must, if possible, be
present. I have got some plain truth ready for Sunday
morning, and I believe the Lord will help me to de-
liver it with the demonstration of the Spirit and with
power. I beg an especial interest in your prayers
that this may be the case. It is just what is wanted.
" I had a very good test afforded me by which to try
my humility. A good brother who could scarcely put
three words together prayed very earnestly that God
would crown my labours, seeing that He could bless
the weakest instruments in His service. You will
smile, and so did I, but it did me good, inasmuch as I
made it a probe for my heart. Why should I be un-
willing for the weakest and most illiterate to count me
among the weak things of the world and the things
that 'are not,' if I may be but instrumental in win-
ning souls for Christ? Oh, I do feel more than ever
the need of crying
Meta-
phorical
hydro-
pathy.
Speaking
with
liberty.
" ' Wean my soul, and keep it low,
Willing Thee alone to know.'
" I perceive the water treatment has not yet brought
out all your weaknesses, metaphorically, I mean.
Pray keep my letters to yourself. I am sure I have
not written one fit to show to anybody."
A few days afterward Mrs. Booth writes:
" Last night my subject went well. It was by far
the best effort I have made. I spoke an hour and a
quarter with unwavering confidence, liberty, and plea-
sure to myself, and, if I may judge, with blessing to
the people. We had an excellent day altogether.
Ballington Booth.
GATESHEAD. 377
Good congregation in the morning and at night the i860,
chapel was crowded as I have never yet seen it. I ^^ ^^'
spoke for an hour ^nd five minutes with tolerable
liberty and effect. My subject was, 'Be ye reconciled
to God. ' The attention did not flag for a moment, and
no one seemed aware that I had spoken so long. I
intend to try and be shorter for my own health's sake, ^^l^^ll
But it is so dilScult, in dealing with a subject, to leave
unsaid what you think may be useful to the people.
" Miss Newberry went home yesterday. She heard Able to
me both morning and night, and said that if I could ^wherZ
get up a dis(;our.se like that in the time, and under the
circumstances, and then go and deliver it as I did, I
need not fear to go anywhere. I value her testimony
as that of the most intelligent and talented woman I
know. To God be all the praise ! May He help me
to devote every power He has given to His glory and
to His only!"
A week later Mrs. Booth says :
" We had a splendid congregation last night. I Throwiny
n> 1 11-, herself on
took cold on baturday and consequently had a sore God.
throat and chest to begin with, and was afraid I should
not be able to make the people hear. But I threw
myself on the Lord with some confidence that He
would help me, and spoke an hour with liberty and
strength of voice exceeding any time before. We had Arichin-
a powerful prayer meeting, rich influence, and good fl'^^^<^^-
praying, but only one case — a good one; a middle-
aged man, a backslider. There were several under
conviction, one gentleman from Newcastle, whom Mr.
McAllam said he was much surprised to see there.
Mr. Firbank talked to him, but he would not come to
the rail. We lacked a general. If you had been there
we should have had several cases, I have no doubt.
"At the quarterly meeting, I am told, very kind
3/8 MRS. BOOTH.
i860, recoofnition was made of my labours and a resolution
^^ ^^' of thanks and sympathy unanimously passed. It was
A vote of also decided not to invite a stranger for the Christmas
thanks. ^^^^^^ i^^^j- ^q g^gk you to take one sermon and me the
other! This is truly marvellous. Surely it is the
Lord's doing!
"Pray for- " Do not forget to pray for me. lam the subject
of much temptation and conflict. But God knows my
heart. He sees I only want to do His will.
Meeting "Oh, liow thankful I am that you are better! It
death
with seems to make all my other anxieties light and easy.
CCtl'iYl'iXCSS
Even my own health appears a trifle compared with
yours, and I feel that infinitely easier could I meet
death myself than its approach to you. I think if I
were called to die, I could now do so with calmness,
reposing on the infinite merits of my Redeemer. I
''I know I know I love Him. I know I am striving after a full
love him. " . ^
Divine conformity to His righteous will. Satan
labours hard to terrify me, because of the past. But
I answer him, 'Where sin hath abounded, grace shall
much more abound,' yea, and I believe it. I, even I,
shall prove His uttermost salvation. His fulness of
love. Do you pray for me? Are you striving after
more of the mind of Christ? Are you living by faith
in the Son of God? May the Lord help you, and bring
you home in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel
of Christ!"
The Gen- Mr. Booth returned from his furlough with health
CVCll^ s
return, improved, fresh plans formed, and faith high for the
achievements of the coming year. He was received
by his office-bearers and people with every manifesta-
tion of their confidence and affection, and was es-
pecially gratified by their assurances concerning the
progress of the work during his absence, a resolution
having been unanimously passed expressive of their
GATESHEAD. ■ 379
satisfaction with the able and devoted manner in i860,
which Mrs. Booth had superintended the affairs of ^^ ^^"
the circuit.
Writing to her parents upon New Year's Day, Mrs. a happy
Booth gives the following description of the Christ- mas.
mas:
" We had a very good tea-meeting upon Christmas
Day — the best attendance they have ever had. I
spoke an hour and a few minutes upon 'TlT.e true
o-lory of a church — embodied Christianity,' as distin-
guished from materialism in every shape and form.
I illustrated it by the two temples. The latter, though
so far inferior to the first in all material grandeur, is
yet declared to exceed it in glory, being honoured by
the personal presence of Christ. So the glory of any The
church is not its architecture, etc., but the living em- ffchHsi.
bodiment of Christ's principles and benevolence. I
should not have spoken, but William wished me to,
and insisted on my taking time. The Christmas
collections have amounted to £6 more than last year,
when they fetched a special preacher 300 miles for
the meetings.
" At a society meeting held last week they passed a suppiy-
resolution that some blanks be left on the next 'plan' blanks.
for Sunday nights at Bethesda, and that I be requested
to supply them. But I cannot give the time to pre-
paration unless I can afford to put my sewing out. It
never seems to occur to anybody that I cannot do two
things at once, or that I want means to relieve me
of the one while I do the other! What I do, I do
to the Lord. Still I am conscious they are partakers
of the benefit, and could wish that they would re-
member our temporalities a little more than they do!"
It is only due to the Circuit officials to say that they Making
it UJJ.
made up somewhat for their previous forgetfulness by
3^0 Mas. BOOTH.
i860, offering a little monetary assistance to Mr. and Mrs.
^^^^' Booth before they went away. And, no doubt, had
Financial they been aware of the financial straits which made
straits. .^ ^^ difficult for Mrs. Booth to find time for her public
work, they would have gladly come forward to supply
the needs of their beloved and respected leaders
rather than that time should have been wasted over
household details which might have been so profitably
devoted to the salvation of souls.
Athrifty A more thrifty housewife than Mrs. Booth it would
wife. have been difficult to, find. She could not endure ex-
travagance. But she was equally free from meanness.
She laboured that her children should be well-fed,
warmly and neatly clothed, and carefully instructed
in all forms of knowledge that would be likely to be
useful to them and make them a blessing to others in
after life. She had a conviction — or should we say,
one of those prophetic instincts to which she occasion-
ally gave utterance — that her children were destined
standing to "stand before princes," and she was resolved that
be fo v&
pnnces. no pains should be spared on her part in preparing
them physically, intellectually, and spiritually to make
the best of the opportunities the future might offer for
serving God and their generation. God honoured her
faith, and though the financial burden continued to
press heavily upon her, the promise was fulfilled that
her bread should be certain and her water sure.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
MRS. BOOTH ON HOLINESS. 1861.
Of the doctrines advocated by John Wesley, next pardon
to the necessity of conversion there was none on _p^"Vfy.
which he laid more stress than on the doctrine of
sanctification. By the former he understood, as we
have already seen, the possibility of receiving the
conscious and immediate assurance of salvation.
This was his privilege — nay, more, it was his duty.
Short of such an experience none could safely rest.
Wesley went, however, further in asserting that not jndiceii-
only could the sins of the past be pardoned and the '^^Sf*'"*-
sinner restored to the family of God, but that the
heart could be purified by the same power from the a heart
evil tendencies and tempers which would otherwise cleansed.
prove too strong for it, and render it the helpless prey
of every passing temptation. If, he argued, the cita-
del of the heart continued to be occupied by anger,
pride, love of money, fear of man, and all the other
thousand and one forms of selfishness, the whole at-
tention of the victim of such passions would neces-
sarily be occupied in combating those inward enemies,
and there would be little opportunity, inclination,
and capacity for serving the Lord by carrying the
war into the heart of the enemy's country. If, on
the contrary, these inward forms of evil were re-
moved, every energy could then be devoted to the
salvation of a perishing world.
The very object of the atonement appeared to him
381
382
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
The name
Jes^is.
A neglect-
ed doc-
trine.
How it
cnnie
about.
Not
definite
enough.
Getting
the
blessing.
A glori-
ous quick-
ening.
to be the conquest and removal of these indwelling
evils. The very name /csus signified that He was to
save His people from their sins, not merely to pardon
and condone sin, as so many seemed to suppose. •
Of late, however, this doctrine had ceased to occupy
the prominence given to it by Wesley. True, the
possibility of attaining such an experience continued
to be acknowledged. Nevertheless, it was no longer
advocated with the same definiteness and earnestness
that had marked it of old.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth, while constantly referring to
the subject, and always urging upon their converts
the importance both of holy living and of aggressive
effort, had not hitherto directed their attention in any
special manner to the consideration and proclamation
of this doctrine. How they came to do so is touch-
ingly described by Mrs. Booth in the following letters
to her parents:
" My soul has been much called out of late on the doctrine
of holiness. I feel that hitherto we have not put it in a suffi-
ciently definite and tangible manner before the people — I
mean as a specific and attainable experience. Oh, that I had
entered into the fulness of the enjoyment of it myself. I in-
tend to struggle after it. In the mean time we have com-
menced already to bring it specially before our dear people."
" February 4th, 1861.
" I spoke a fortnight since at Bethesda on holiness, and a pre-
cious time we had. On the Sunday following two beautiful
testimonies were given in the love-feast as to the attainment
of the blessing through that address. One of them, an old
gray-headed leader, is perhaps the most spiritual man in the
society. He had never before seen it his privilege to be
sanctified. Others have claimed it since. William has
preached on it twice, and there is a glorious quickening
amongst the people. I am to speak again next Friday night
and on Sunday afternoon. Pray for me. I only want perfect
consecration and Christ as my all, and then I might be very
MRS. BOOTH ON HOLINESS.
383
useful, to the glory, not of myself, the most unworthy of all
who e'er His grace received, but of His great and boundless
love. May the Lord enable me to give my wanderings o'er
and to find in Christ perfect peace and full salvation !
" I have much to be thankful for in my dearest husband.
The Lord has been dealing very graciously with him for some
time past. His soul has been growing in grace, and its out-
ward developments have been proportionate. He is now on
full stretch for holiness. You would be amazed at the change
in him. It would take me all night to detail all the circum-
stances and convergings of Providence and Grace which have
led up to this experience, but I assure you it is a glorious
reality, and I know you will rejoice in it.
" As has always been the case with every quickening we
have experienced in our own souls, there has been a renewal
of the evangelistic question, especially in my mind. I felt as
though that was the point of controversy between me and
God. Indeed, I knew it was. And on the day I referred to in
my last letter to you I determined to bring it to a point be-
fore the Lord, trusting in Him for strength to suffer as well
as to do His will, if He should call me to it. I did so. What
I went through in the conflict I could not, if I would, describe.
It seemed far worse than death. Since that hour, however,
although I have been tempted, I have not taken back the
sacrifice from the altar, but have been enabled calmly to
contemplate it as done.
" Such an unexpected surrender on my part of course re-
vived William's yearnings towards the evangelistic work,
though in quite another spirit to that in which he used to long
for it. In fact, now, I think the sacrifice will be almost as
great to him as to me. He has got so much more settled in
his habits, and so fond of home. But he feels as though the
Lord calls him to it. So we are going to make it a matter of
daily prayer for a week, and then decide, leaving all conse-
quences with the Lo-^d. He says that we shall not lack any
good thing if we do His will, and if He puts us to the test
we are going to trust Him with each other — life, health,
salary, and all.
" Will you not pray that He may reveal unto us His will so
clearly that we cannot err? Oh, for faith in the simple word !
The curse of this age especially is unbelief, frittering the real
i86i,
Age 32.
On full
stretch
for holi-
ness.
The evan-
gelistic
question.
A terrible
conflict.
His
yearnings
revive.
Pray for
light.
384
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
The
daughter
ofZion.
Unbelief
ties God's
hands.
meaning of God's word away and making it all figure and
fiction. Nothing but the Holy Ghost can so apply the words
of God to the soul that they shall be what Jesus declared
they were, 'spirit and life.' May He so apply them to our
waiting, anxious hearts on this momentously important sub-
ject.
" I am glad you got the book I recommended, but I would
not advise you to read it all at once. Just find some portion
that suits your case and apply it and pray over it, and ask the
Lord to help you to receive all the light it is fitted to impart,
and then act according to it. Believe it, or it is of no use !
The just shall live hy faith. More than ever am I deter-
mined to keep clear of all worldly conformity, and to say of
its maxims, its practices, and all its paltry gratifications, 'The
daughter of Zion hath despised thee!'
" The Lord will order all things if we only do His will and
trust Him with consequences. 'Them that honour me I will
honour. ' Oh, what a fool I have been ! How slow, how back-
ward, how blind, how hindered by unbelief! And even now
some bolts and bars are round me, which my foolish heart will
not consent to have broken down ! O unbelief, truly it binds
the hands of Omnipotence itself! 'He could not do many
mighty works because of their unbelief. ' May the Lord in-
crease our faith 1 "
Thanks
for
prayers.
How to
get the
blessing.
"nth February, 1861.
" Your very kind letter came duly to hand. We are very
much obliged for the readiness with which you promise to
join us in praying about this very important matter of our
future work. I hope, nay, I believe, God will guide us. I
think we are fully willing to be led by Him. I have not
prayed much specifically about it at present, simply because
my mind has been absorbed in the pursuit of holiness, which
I feel involves this and every other blessing. If I am only
fully the Lord's He has unalterably bound Himself to be the
portion of my inheritance for ever.
This, of late, I have especially realised, and a week ago last
Friday, when I made the surrender referred to in my last, I
saw that in order to carry out my vow in the true spirit of
consecration I must have a whole Christ, a perfect Saviour.
I therefore resolved to seek till I found that 'pearl of great
MRS. BOOTH ON HOLINESS.
385
price' — 'the white stone, which no man knoweth, save he
that receiveth it. ' I perceived that I had been in some de-
gree of error with reference to the nature, or rather the at-
tainment of sanctification, regarding it rather as a great and
mighty work to be wrought in me through Christ, than the
simple reception of Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour, dwell-
ing in my heart, and thus cleansing it every moment
from all sin. I had been earnestly seeking all the week
to apprehend Him as my Saviour in this sense, but on
Thursday and Friday I was totally absorbed in the subject.
I laid aside almost everything else and spent the chief part
of the day in reading and prayer, and in trying to believe for
it. On Thursday afternoon at tea-time I was well-nigh dis-
couraged and felt my old visitant, irritability. The devil told
me I should never get it, and so I might as well give it up at
once. However, I knew him of old as a liar and the father of
lies, and pressed on — cast down, yet not destroyed.
" On Friday morning God gave me two precious passages.
First, ' Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. ' Oh, how sweet it sounded to my
poor, weary, sin-stricken soul ! I almost dared to believe that
He did give me rest from inbred sin, the rest of perfect holi-
ness. But I staggered at the promise, through unbelief, and
therefore failed to enter in. The second passage consisted
of those thrice-blessed words: 'Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who is made unto us wisdom, righteotisness, sanctification,
and redemption!' But again unbelief hindered me, although
I felt as if getting gradually nearer.
" I struggled through the day until a little after six in the
evening, when William joined me in prayer. We had a
blessed season. While he was saying, 'Lord, we open our
hearts to receive Thee,' that word was spoken to my soul:
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My
voice, and open unto Me, I will come in and sup with him.'
I felt sure He had long been knocking, and oh, how I yearned
to receive him as a perfect Saviour! But oh, the inveterate
habit of unbelief! How wonderful that God should have
borne so long with me !
" When we got up from our knees I lay on the sofa, exhausted
with the excitement and effort of the day. William said,
'Don't you lay all on the altar? ' I replied, 'I am sure I do! '
25
1861,
Age 32.
The sim,'
pie in-
dwelling
of Christ.
Hindered
by tm-
belief.
" I will
come in.''
All on the
altar.
386
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
Now are
ye clean.
Entering
into rest.
What it
depends
upon.
■ Idvhin
II nd boaz.
Then he said, 'And isn't the altar holy?' I replied in the
language of the Holy Ghost, 'The altar is most holy, and
whatsoever toucheth it is holy.' Then said he, 'Are you not
holy? ' I replied with my heart full of emotion and with some
faith, 'Oh, I think 1 am.' Immediately the word was given
me to confiirm my faith, 'Now are ye clean through the word
which I have spoken unto you. ' And I took hold — true, with
a trembling hand, and not unmolested by the tempter, but I
held fast the beginning of my confidence, and it grew
stronger, and from that moment I have dared to reckon my-
self dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus
Christ, my Lord.
" I did not feel much rapturous joy, but perfect peace, the
sweet rest which Jesus promised to the heavy-laden. I have
understood the Apostle's meaning when he says, 'We who be-
lieve do enter into rest.' This is just descriptive of my state
at present. Not that I am not tempted, but I am allowed to
know the devil when he approaches me, and I look to my
Deliverer Jesus, and He still gives me rest. Two or three
very trying things occurred on Saturday, which at another
time would have excited impatience, but I was kept by the
power of God through faith unto full salvation.
" And now what shall I say? 'Unto Him who hath washed
me in His own blood be glory and dominion for ever and
ever,' and all Vv^ithin me says 'Amen! ' Oh, I cannot describe,
I have no words to set forth, the sense I have of my own utter
unworthiness. Satan has met me frequently with my pecu-
liarly aggravated sins, and I have admitted it all. But then I
have said the Lord ha? not made my sanctification to depend
in any measure on my own worthiness, or unworthiness, but
on the worthiness of my Saviour. He came to seek and to
save 'that which was lost. ' 'Where sin hath abounded grace
doth much more abound.'
" And now, my dear parents, will you let it abound towards
you? 'Whosoever will, let him come and take freely! '"
Like the twin pillars, Jacliin and Boaz, which were
reared by Solomon in the porch of the Temple, so
the twin doctrines, Conversion and Sanctification,
were raised in the forefront of the Salvation Army
Zion. Ir the glorious possibility of pardon, it was to
MJiS. BOOTH ON HOLINESS.
387
be "established," and in the no less precious privilege
of purity it was to find its "strength," The founders
of the movement were to transmit to their followers
the double shepherd's staff of Bands and Beauty, bind-
ing them on the one hand to the blessed experience of
a forgiven child of God, and introducing them on the
other to all the matchless "beauty of holiness."
Speaking subsequently on this subject Mrs. Booth
says:
" I think it must be self-evident that it is the most important
question that can possibly occupy the mind of man, how much
like God we can be — how near to God we can come on earth
preparatory to our being perfectly like Him, and living, as it
were, in His very heart for ever and ever in heaven. Any
one who has any measure of the Spirit of God must perceive
that this is the most important question on which we can con-
centrate our thoughts ; and the mystery of mysteries to me is,
how any one, with any measure of the Spirit of God, can help
looking at this blessing of holiness, and saying, 'Well, even
if it does seem too great for attainment on earth, it is very
beautiful and very blessed. I wish I could attain it. ' 77iat,
it seems to me, must be the attitude of every person who has
the Spirit of God — that he should hunger and thirst after it,
and feel that he shall never be satisfied till he wakes up in the
lovely likeness of his Saviour. And yet, alas ! we do not find
it so. In a great many instances, the very first thing profess-
ing Christians do is to resist and reject this doctrine of holi-
ness as if it were the most foul thing on earth.
" I heard of a gentleman saying, a few days ago — a leader
in one circle of religion — that for anybody to talk about be-
ing holy showed that they knew nothing of themselves and
nothing of Jesus Christ. I said, 'O my God! it has come to
something if holiness and Jesus Christ are the antipodes of
each other. I thought He was the centre and fountain of holi-
ness. I thought it was in Him alone we could get any holi-
ness, and through Him only that holiness could be wrought
in us. ' But this poor man thought otherwise.
" We are told over and over again that God wants His peo-
ple to be pure, and that purity in their hearts is the
1861,
Age 32.
Bands
and
Beauty.
How
much can
trc rcftem-
ble God?
Hunger-
ing for it.
It is
possible.
The birth
of the
Gospel.
388
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
To be and
to do.
A ttvo-
sided
scheme.
The con-
dition.
Worldly
conform-
ity.
No
sacrifice.
VERY CENTRAL IDEA AND END AND PURPOSE OF THE GoSPEL OF
Jesus Christ; if it is not so, I give up the whole question — I
am utterly deceived.
" Oh that people, in their inquiries about this blessing of
holiness, would keep this one thing before their minds— that
it is dein^ saved from sin; sin in act, in purpose, in thought !
" After all, what does God want with us? He wants us just
to be and to do. He wants us to be like His Son, and then to
do as His Son did; and when we come to that He will shake
the world through us. People say, 'You can't be like His
Son. ' Very well, then, you will never get any more than you
believe for. If I did not think Jesus Christ strong enough to
destroy the works of the devil and to bring us back to God's
original pattern, I would throw the whole thing up for ever.
What! He has given us a religion we cannot practise? I say,
No! He has not come to mock us. "What! He has given us
a Saviour who cannot save? Then I decline to have anything
to do with Him. What! does He profess to do for me what
He cannot? No, no, no. He 'is not a man, that He should
lie: neither the son of man, that He should repent:' and I
tell you that His scheme of salvation is two-sided — it is God-
ward and manward. It contemplates me as well as it con-
templates the great God. It is not a scheme of salvation
merely — it is a scheme of restoration. If He cannot restore
me He must damn me. If He cannot heal me, and make me
over again, and restore me to the pattern He intended me to
be, He has left Himself no choice.
"True, there is the condition, 'Be not conformed to this
world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove. ' Oh ! if you could be transformed to Him
and conformed to this world at the same time, all the difficulty
would be over. I know plenty of people who would be trans-
formed directly ; but, to be not conformed to this world — how
they stand and wince at that ! They cannot have it at that price.
But God will not be revealed to such souls, though they cry
and pray themselves to skeletons, and go mourning all their
days. They will not fulfil the condition — 'Be not conformed
to this world;' they will not forego their conformity even to
the extent of a dinner-party.
" A great many that I know will not forego their confor-
mity to the shape of their head-dress, They won't forego
MRS. BOOTH ON HOLINESS.
389
the conformity to the extent of giving vip visiting and
receiving visits from ungodly, worldly, hollow, and super-
ficial people. They will not forego their conformity to
the tune of having their domestic arrangements upset —
no, not if the salvation of their children, and servants, and
friends depends upon it. The sine qua 7ton is their own com-
fort, and then take what you can get on God's side. 'We
must have this, and we must have the other ; and then, if the
Lord Jesus Christ will come in at the tail end and sanctify it
all, we shall be very much obliged to Him ; but we cannot
forego these things. '
" Finally, to obtain this blessed experience, there is the
great desideratum, faith. You can't know it by understand-
ing. Oh! if the world could have known it by understanding,
what a deal they would have known ! But He despises all
your philosophy. It is not by understanding, but by faith!
If ever you know God it will be by faith ; becoming as a little
child — opening your heart, and saying, 'Lord, pour in;' and
then your quibbles and difficulties will be gone, and you will
see holiness, sanctification, purity, perfect love, burning out
on every page of God's Word.
" A minister — a devoted, good man — was trying to show me
that this sanctification was too big to be got and kept. I
said, 'My dear sir, how do you know? If another man has
faith to march up to Jesus Christ and say, " Here, I see this
in your Book ; you have promised this to me ; now, then, Lord,
I have faith to take it;" mind you don't measure his privilege
hy your faith. Do you think the Church has come up to His
standard of privilege and obligation? I don't. It has many
marches to make yet. Mind you don't hinder anybody.'
The law of the Kingdom all the way through to your djang
moment will be 'According to your faith.' If you want this
blessing, put down your quibbles^ put your feet on your argu-
ments, march up to the Throne and ask for it, and kill, and
crucify, and cast from you the accursed thing which hinders,
and then you shall have it; and the Lord will fill you with
His power and glory."
1861,
Age 32.
Looking
after
them ■
selves.
Hoiv to
get if.
Is it too
much to
expect ?
A low
standard.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
"JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE." 1861.
Critical In the history of men, as in the history of nations,
there are critical moments when incalculable interests
tremble in the balance, and it seems that a feather
would suffice to turn the scale. Particularly is this
the case with those who rise up from time to time as
the champions of humanity. It is only when they
The red- havc darcd to brave the fiery ordeal, and cross the
hot bars. ■'
seven-fold heated bars which opposition and prejudice
lay at their feet, that the accomplishment of their
heart's desire becomes attainable. The moment ar-
rives when, without risking everything, nothing can
be won. Those who are not prepared to sacrifice
must be content to fail.
Blood- The choicest privileges of mankind have been
bought with blood. What is best worth buying
costs the most. The Cross is the price for the
Crown and Calvary the only gateway to resurrec-
tion glory. If good desires would save mankind,
it would surely have been delivered long ago. The
difference between idle wishes and the deliberate
heart choice of the world's true benefactors is, that
™ „ the latter consent to pay the price which sofne one has
h^ith^^^'f ^^ ^^^' '^^^ Cross is the divinely appointed shib-
the hypo- boleth for the detection of the hypocrite. No insin-
crite. T 1 ^ 1 1 ,. . . 1
cere and selfish heart can frame to pronounce the
390
"JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE." 39 1
word. The Ephraimite is betrayed by his lisp, and 1861,
fails in his attempt to cross the ford.
It was an epoch in the history of Mr. and Mrs. Broken
Booth. Hitherto they had bowed their necks to the p^*^^^^^^-
Connexional yoke in the belief that the promises of a
return to their evangelistic sphere would ultimately
and unanimously be afforded them. Four years they
had waited, but only to be disappointed. That they
could be useful in a circuit they had abundantly
proved, but that they could accomplish still greater
results in the coveted position where they had pre-
viously been blessed in so remarkable a manner was
equally clear.
The question now presented itself forcibly to Tiie ques-
, . ^ . -^ , , , . .„ -, tionof
their consciences, as to whether they were justified the hour.
in submitting any longer to the jurisdiction of a
handful of persons, who were obviously influenced
by unworthy motives in denying them a position of
greater usefulness. True, it was possible that Con-
ference might reconsider their position, and fulfil the
pledges which had hitherto reconciled them to their
lot, but in the event of this not being the case what
were they to do? To face the world alone would
have been easy. But now a delicate wife and four
little children had to be considered.
The recent break-down of Mr. Booth's health had Their at-
reminded them that his constitution was not of the to the
strongest. Added to these difficulties th-ere was a warm nexton.
personal attachment to the large circle of Connexional
members with whom their labours had brought them
into contact, and a deep-rooted desire to advance the
highest interests of the body. None of these consider-
ations, however, appeared to lessen the responsibility
of their present position. And they resolved with the
most perfect unanimity that if the Conference once
392
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
A letter
to the
Com-
mittee.
Expresses
his con-
victions.
Called to
it.
The two
spheres
com-
pared.
Past
results.
more refused to fulfil their long-standing pledge, they
would commit their needs to God, and go forth to do
His will in simple reliance upon His promises.
No sooner had this decision been arrived at than
they proceeded to prepare the following letter to the
Annual Committee, formally broaching the subject
and offering themselves for reappointment to the
evangelistic sphere :
" NoRMANBY Terrace, Gateshead,
" March 5th, 1861,
" To the Rev. James Stacey, President of the Methodist New
Connexion.
" My Dear Sir: — It has long been on my mind to lay before
you, as the president of our denomination, my views and con-
victions with respect to my present and future position. I
do this in all plainness and candour, appealing to your judg-
ment, confiding in your sympathy, and requesting your
counsel.
" This question comes before me in something like the fol-
lowing form :
*' I. For the last seven years I have felt that God has spe-
cially called me to this work. The impression has been clear
and decided. I am as satisfied of it as I am of my call to the
ministry. It is now four years since I was put down from it,
and the impression, instead of dying away, is as strong and
vivid as ever.
" II. I am satisfied that in that work I can be most success-
ful in bringing souls to Christ, promoting the prosperity of
the Church and the glory of God. I have seen a measure of
success in my present sphere ; but I submit that there is no
comparison between my success in the one sphere and in the
other. Many, very many, who during that two years and a
half of labour were brought to God are now safe in heaven.
Several, I think five or six, are now in our ministry, and
others are preparing for it; many are in the ranks of our
local preachers, and I hesitate not to say that hundreds are
enrolled in our membership. I think the position peculiarly
favourable to such results, and I largely attribute the success
"JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE."
393
to the combined and consecutive labour and prayer of the
Church which such efforts call forth.
" III. The united testimony of those who know me in the
work is to the effect that the Lord has given me a measure of
adaptation for it.
" IV. In that work I am the happiest. I have never been
really happy or settled in my mind since I left it. I have
tried to banish all thought of it, and to conclude that if the
Lord wanted me He would thrust me out. For a season it
has been left in abeyance ; but in a very short time it has
come up again, and I have been as unsettled as ever.
" V. I have not been successful out of the work ; that is, the
success realized by me in a circuit has not been in any way
proportionate to the measures employed. God has seemed
ever to be disappointing my most rational and Scriptural ex-
pectations, as though He foresaw that, if all the success I de-
sired was given me, I should at once give up the evangelistic
work to which He called me.
" VI. I am now under no obligation to a circuit ; my third
year expires next Conference, and I am free to go elsewhere.
" VII. The Lord has removed several other obstacles out of
the way. Among others, my dear wife has voluntarily con-
sented to the separation which my going forth would involve.
In fact, in this matter, we have both been enabled to offer
our all to God, being willing to submit to any self-denying
circumstances He may appoint in order to do His will.
" VIII. My soul lately has been brought into a higher walk
of Christian experience ; and with purer motives, holier de-
sires and aims, and a fuller consecration, my soul turns to
this work as to the sphere in which God designs to bless me.
" IX. The reasons assigned by the Conference for my tak-
ing a circuit have all been met. So far as I remember them
— that is, those that were worth noticing — they were the fol-
lowing :
1861,
Age 32.
Others
testify.
Happy in
the rvork.
Less suc-
cessful
elsewhere.
Free to
go.
My tvife
is willing.
My souVs
desire.
The
reasons
met.
" I. That I might have a certificate according to the rule
and usage of the Connexion, it being the last year of my
probation. This was met by my having a certificate, and
being received into full connexion.
" 2. That my Connexional attachment might be proved; it
not being thought safe to trust an untried stranger with the
In full
connex-
ion.
No longer
an un-
tried
stranger.
394
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32,
No
expense.
influence that the position of evangelist gave me. This, too,
I think, has been met. The very fact of my bowing to the
decision proved it, when I might have acted so differently.
The Stationing Cammittee must have been satisfied on this
point three years ago, when they entrusted me with the su-
perintendency of a circuit; and to this, moreover, let the
impioved Connexional character of this circuit testify.
" 3. The outlay in which my labours involved the yearly
collection. This outlay, I submit, need not with careful ar-
rangement have been incurred in the past, and need not be
incurred in the future, as I shall afterwards show.
It is
Script-
ural.
Others
do it.
An open
door.
How to
do it.
" X. I am clearly convinced of the Scriptural character of
the office of evangelist. This, I think, I have heard you
maintain, nor do I know that any deny it.
" XI. Other churches are successfully availing themselves
of this kind of agency, amongst which are the Wesleyans,
Presbyterians, Methodist Free Churches, Independents, and
Baptists.
" XII. Nqver was there in this country so wide a door open
for this class of labourers as now. As you are aware, in
London, and many parts of Scotland, Ireland, and all over the
world, this class of agencies have attracted the ear of vast
masses of the people, and a great amount of good has been
done.
" To me there appear two ways by which I may find admis-
sion to this sphere :
A central
totvn.
" I. For the Conference to employ me in the following, or
some similar manner, as might appear to them wisest:
" I. To reside in some town central to a number of our inter-
ests, and to labour in the churches inviting me immediately
around it; of course going further away, if not sufficient
labour near home to fill up my time. When travelling be-
fore, I visited places where I received invitations sufficient to
have occupied me twelve months without going twenty miles
away from one centre.
" 2. To labour under the direction of the President of Con-
ference, the Chairman of the District, or the Superintendent
My salary of the circuit where, for the time being, I resided.
raised. " 3- My salary to be the same as other ministers'. To be
'' JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE."-
395
obtained by the places where I labour giving- so much per
week for my services, as before ; which, with the exception of
two places, was always obtained with the greatest ease ; in
many cases leaving large sums of money to devote to local
purposes.
" 4. Every church where I laboured successfully to be re-
quested to make an offering towards a fund to enable me to
labour in poor churches. Towards this fund I think I know
some of our wealthy friends who would subscribe. Further
details I am prepared to produce, should they be required,
and I am, I think, prepared likewise to meet the various
difficulties that may suggest themselves in the working out
of this plan.
1861,
Age 32.
A central
fund.
" II. The second way to which I referred would be for the
Conference to grant me a location ; allowing my name to ap-
pear on the minutes, and recognising me as a regular minister
of the body, with the privilege of returning to the itinerancy
when the providence of God might direct, on the condition
that iny labours were devoted to the Connexion so far as it
offers me a sphere. Of course, if a sufficient amount of labour
was not provided me by it, it could not be objected that I
should fill up my time by accepting the invitations of other
churches, as this plan would involve the giving up of my
salary, and going forth with my wife and family to trust en-
tirely in the Lord; as I have not the slightest idea of any
guarantee whatever save that of Him who has said, 'Every one
that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall
receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. '
" On this subject my mind has been much exercised. I
have been impressed that, when willing to this. He would
open my way ; and I think I can say I am now willing. " I
need not say how much more agreeable and welcome the
adoption of the first plan would be, and how much less anxiety
and self-sacrifice it would involve ; I only suggest the latter in
case the former should be rejected.
" Probably the question will be asked, 'Is my health equal
to the work?' To this I reply, that, through the mercy of
God, my throat is perfectly restored ; and from experience in
a circuit, and in the evangelistic work, I am convinced that
Locate
me.
No
salary.
Mucn ex-
ercised.
The
strain
not too
great.
396
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
Deprecate
a dispute.
The
Annual
Com-
mittee.
A cold
response.
Prepared
fur the
tvorst.
my health will stand the one as well as the other, with season-
able rest and ordinary care.
" And now, my dear sir, I have laid the matter before you.
I should very much deplore any unpleasant discussion in the
Conference. I could not consent to re-engage in the work by
an insignificant majority. I sincerely and strongly desire to
spend my time and energies in promoting the highest inter-
ests of the Connexion. I wish to labour with the fullest ap-
probation and co-operation of my brethren, neither do I see
any righteous reason why this should not be the case.
"All well, I intend to call at Sheffield on Friday, the 15th
instant, on my way to Birmingham, in order to consult you
on the question, which, to give you opportunity for consider-
ation, I have at this length laid before you. Should you in
the mean time meet the Annual Committee, will you kindly
lay this matter before them, and ascertain their judgment in
reference to it? And may the Lord guide you in counsel.
" With kind regards to Mrs. Stacey, in which Mrs. Booth
unites, " Believe me to remain,
" Yours affectionately,
"William Booth."
It was not till the beginning of May that Mr. Booth
received any reply to this commiinication , and then
only to the effect that the answer had been delayed
owing to Mr. Stacey's illness, but that there had been
a meeting of the Annual Committee, at which the
letter had been considered, and that three out of the
four members present "had thought it best to lay the
matter before the Conference for free and open dis-
cussion. Not a word of counsel, nor a symptom of
approval was conveyed, and it was manifest that the
proposal would encounter from certain parties as vig-
orous an opposition as ever.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth, however, were now prepared
for the worst. They were assured that, whatever
might be the issue of the conflict, the ultimate result
could not fail to be a distinct improvement on their
present unsatisfactory position. If they were success-
"JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE." 397
ful in carrying their point, they would have the in- 1861,
tense satisfaction of retaining their position in the ^^^ ^^'
Connexion and at the same time of obeying the dic-
tates of conscience. If, on the other hand, the Con-
ference should refuse their request, they would realise
they had done their duty, and their future pathway,
if lonely, would' be clear.
In sending to her parents a copy of the letter to the
President, Mrs. Booth writes:
" I hope you received my last all right, with a copy of our The
letter to the President, and that you forwarded it to Dr. Cooke, ctpathy
Send us word what you thought of it. I don't see how they church.
can object to granting the second plan, and I would prefer
that to the first. William would be then entirely master of
his own movements, and would not be harassed by a com-
mittee. Oh, the more I see of the church and its ministry the
more deeply am I convinced that such an instrumentality is
what is needed. The apathy and blindness and unconcern of
Christians generally, both ministers and people, are truly
awful ! And while the church sleeps souls by thousands are
dropping into perdition. May God in mercy use us in some
humble degree to awaken half-hearted professors, and to
bring lost sinners to God!"
Nor were they left in this critical hour without Two hun-
tokens of Divine approval. A series of revival ser- %lttrnt
vices held in the beginning of the year at Bethesda -^^^'^''s^"-
Chapel had resulted in two hundred persons professing
conversion. The quarterly returns showed an in-
crease of more than three hundred members to the
circuit during the three years of their appointment. The
The annual District meeting, held in Durham previous meeting.
to the meeting of the Conference, had been memori-
alised by the Gateshead Circuit to ask that Mr. Booth
should be set apart for the work of an evangelist, and
had unanimously passed the following resolutions:
Its resolU'
I. Affirming the Scriptural character of such an tions.
398
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
Mr.
.Jnseiih
Love.
Hartle-
pool.
Two hun-
dred pen-
it ey\fs at
Mvft.
BootWs
meetings.
agency and the desirability of its employment by the
Connexion.
2, Recommending Conference to set Mr. Booth
apart for the work ; and
3. Recommending his appointment to the Durham
District as his first sphere of labour.
One of the most influential lay members of the Con-
ference was a Mr. Joseph Love. He was immensely
rich, having risen from the position of a working-
man to one of affluence, and leaving at his death some
two millions of money. He warmly espoused Mr.
Booth's cause, and promised to do his utmost to secure
the consent of Conference to a renewal of his evange-
listic work. Indeed, both he and other wealthy friends
made it no secret that, if it were the question of ex-
pense which had caused hesitation as to the appoint-
ment, they would themselves guarantee to defray all
the extra cost, and thus relieve Conference of any
anxiety on that account.
Still more reassurins^ was the result of an Easter
visit paid by Mr. and Mrs. Booth to Hartlepool. So
remarkable were the results and so promising the
prospects that Mrs. Booth remained behind for ten
days to continue the services, no less than two hundred
and fifty persons coming to the communion rail dur-
ing this brief interval. This seemed to be in an es-
pecial manner the finger .of God pointing with the
utmost plainness to the path that He desired them to
follow. The commencement of this work is graphi-
cally described by Mrs. Booth herself in the following
letter to her parents :
"Hartlepool, Easter Monday, 1861.
Easter " ^^ came here on Thursday afternoon for the Easter An-
visit. niversary meetings. I preached on Good Friday morning to
a full chapel, William on Sunday morning, and I again in
■'JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE."
399
the afternoon to a chapel packed, aisles and pulpit stairs,
while many turned away unable to get in. This morning
William returned to Gateshead to attend our tea-meeting at
Bethesda. I am staying here to preach again to-night, and
shall return, all well, to-morrow. There were many under
conviction last evening, whom I hope to see converted to-
night. The Lord has been very graciously present with me
hitherto and has given me great influence and liberty. I am
in my element in the work, and only regret that I did not
commence it years ago. Oh, to live for souls! It is a dark,
sinful world, and a comparatively dead and useless Church.
May God pot:r out His Spirit!
" There is a nice society here, considering it is a new one —
a beautiful chapel, seats about 750. They say there were
1000 in it yesterday afternoon.
" And now how are you getting on? I am very glad to hear
my dear father is so useful in the temperance line. I intend
to do more yet in that direction. Some excellent judges spoke
very highly of my first speech. So I shall be encouraged to
try again.
" I hope, however, my dear father will not stop at teetotal-
ism. Why can you not speak a word for Jesus? [Shortly
previous to this, while on a visit to Mrs. Booth, Mr. Mumford
had given his heart freshly to God.] Does not 'love so amaz-
ing, so divine' as He has shown to you, demand the consecra-
tion of your powers directly to His Name and cause? Oh, try
to speak a word for Him, and you will find His Spirit will be
with you, giving you strength and grace. The mere recital
of God's merciful dealings with you would be calculated to
melt many a hard heart, and inspire many a hopeless, reckless
wanderer with desires and purposes to leturn to the Lord.
Try it ! Oh let us all try to live to purpose !
" Has my dear mother fixed on any plan by which she can
do something for the Lord, and be instrumental in winning a
few poor souls to Jesus? It is workers that are so woefully
wanted in the vineyard, and there is nothing else worth living
for but to minister salvation and bliss in Jesus' Name. Oh,
let us as a family strive to do something to make up for our
lost opportunities and past unfaithfulness."
A few days later Mrs. Booth writes again from
Hartlepool to her parents ;
1861,
Age 32.
Jioofh re-
mains
behind.
The frm-
perance
cause.
Jesus
Working
for God.
400
MRS. BOOTH.
1861,
Age 32.
-4 glori-
ous in-
gather-
ing.
A gen-
eral move-
The
results.
Croivded
out.
Forty
penitents.
" You will be surprised to find I am still here, but so it is.
I told you I had to stay on Monday evening. Well, the Lord
came down amongst the people so gloriously that I dare not
leave, so the friends telegraphed to William and I remained.
... I preached again on Tuesday evening. The chapel was
full. I gave an invitation, and the Lord helped me as I think
He never did before. When I had done speaking tnere was a
general move all over the chapel, and the communion rail
was filled with penitents again and again and again during the
evening. The second time it was filled I never saw such a
sight before. They were all men, with two ex